The Chicago Cubs ended 108 years of suffering on Wednesday night and into the early hours of Thursday morning as they beat the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.
Their misery was prolonged for short time as they trailed trailed the series and looked as though their wait would have to go on, but a late rally culminated in a narrow 8-7 victory in Game 7 and bring to an end perhaps the most famous drought in professional sports history.
A game which ended with a ground ball will be remembered for Ben Zobrist's 10th inning double that finished off generations of heartbreak and brought the World Series back to the Windy City.
"Historical," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told USA Today after the victory. "This carries more significance in the city of Chicago, the fan base, just history. Obviously, the last time it was won was over a century ago.
"But for me, the significance is that this team, this group, wins a World Series. And that the people that are here to enjoy it prosper in it right now."
The moment.#WorldSeries pres. by @TMobile pic.twitter.com/CsrG5yvfII
— MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2016
The Cubs got off to a fast start, Dexter Fowler hit a home run to help them build up a 5-1 lead in the first five innings. That lead was slowly chipped away, the Indians cutting it back to 5-3.
Rain delayed proceedings after the game sat at 6-4 in favour of the Cubs and at the bottom of the eight inning, Rajai Davis hit a home run to draw the sides level.
The Cubs scored two runs at the top of the 10th to secure the victory and were able to old off Cleveland who could only muster one more before Mike Martinez’ grounder landed into the glove of Kris Bryant. He fired it to first and, well, the rest is history.
Before the series, many recognised that history would be made and for the Cleveland Indians, the pain goes on. No World Series since 1948 and a loss in front of their home crowd will hurt. So too will the fact that they led this Series 3-1 and had victory within their grasp.
108 years between them. #CHAMPS https://t.co/gEpALM5bzd pic.twitter.com/7f1j8WAPcs
— MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2016
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