2016 World Series

2016 World Series

Team (Wins) Manager Season Chicago Cubs(4) Joe Maddon 103–58, .640, 17½ GA Cleveland Indians (3) Terry Francona 94–67, .584, 8 GA
Dates:	October 25–November 2
MVP:	Ben Zobrist (Chicago)
Television:	Fox (English) Fox Deportes (Spanish)
TV announcers:	Joe Buck, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci(English) Carlos Álvarez, Duaner Sánchez, Karim García and Jaime Motta (Spanish)
Radio:	ESPN (English) ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
Radio announcers:	Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone (English) Eduardo Ortega, José Francisco Rivera and Orlando Hernández (Spanish)
Umpires:	Chris Guccione, John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Sam Holbrook, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, Larry Vanoverand Joe West.[1]
ALCS:	Cleveland Indians beat Toronto Blue Jays (4–1)
NLCS:	Chicago Cubs beat Los Angeles Dodgers (4–2)
< 2015 World Series 2017 >

The 2016 World Series was the 112th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, a best-of-seven playoff between the National League champion Chicago Cubs and the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Indians had home-field advantage because the American League had won the 2016 All-Star Game.^[2][3][4] The Cubs defeated the Indians in seven games, their first World Series victory in 108 years. They clinched the Series in game 7 with an 8–7 win in extra innings. It was only the sixth time in World Series history that a team came back from a deficit of three games to one to win a championship. This was the third consecutive year that the visiting team won the deciding game of the World Series.

This was the Indians' sixth appearance in the World Series and their first since 1997, with their last Series win in 1948. The Cubs played in their 11th World Series and their first since 1945, and won their first championship since 1908. This matchup featured the two franchises with the longest World Series title droughts, a combined 176 years without a championship.

Background

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs made their 11th appearance in the World Series. They won two championships in 1907 and 1908, both against the Detroit Tigers. They lost their eight other appearances, in 1906 against the Chicago White Sox, in 1910 against the Philadelphia Athletics, in 1918 against the Boston Red Sox, in 1929 against the Athletics, in 1932 against the New York Yankees, in 1935 against the Tigers, in 1938 against the Yankees, and in 1945 against the Tigers.^[5]

The Cubs qualified for the postseason by winning the National League Central, their sixth division title and their first since 2008.^[6] They defeated the San Francisco Giants in four games of the 2016 National League Division Series, before clinching their first National League pennant since 1945 with a sixth-game victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 National League Championship Series.^[7][8][9]

For Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it was his second appearance in the World Series as manager – in 2008, he managed the Tampa Bay Rayswhen they beat the Boston Red Sox (then managed by current Indians manager Terry Francona) to win the AL Pennant, then were defeated in five games by the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. It was also Maddon's third World Series appearance overall – in 2002, he was bench coach with the then Anaheim Angels when they won the World Series.^[10]

Cleveland Indians

The Indians made their sixth appearance in the World Series. They won their first two championships, in 1920 against the Brooklyn Robins, and in 1948 against the Boston Braves. They lost their three most recent appearances in the Fall Classic, losing to the New York Giants in 1954, the Atlanta Braves in 1995, and the Florida Marlins in 1997.^[11]

The Indians qualified for the postseason by winning the American League Central, their eighth division title and their first since 2007.^[12] They defeated the Boston Red Sox in three games of the 2016 American League Division Series, before clinching the pennant with a five-game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 American League Championship Series.^[7]

For Indians manager Terry Francona, it was his third appearance in the World Series, which he entered carrying an unbeaten 8–0 record from past games in the Fall Classic. Francona has won two World Series championships, in 2004 and 2007, both with the Boston Red Sox.^[13]

Summary

News report by Voice of Americaabout ticket prices for the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years.^[14]

Chicago won the series, 4–3.

Game summaries

Game 1

Progressive Field, a few hours before Game 1 of the 2016 World Series

Former Indian and Cub Kenny Lofton threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1.^[22] Corey Kluberstarted for the Indians, and Jon Lester started for the Cubs.^[23] Kyle Schwarber, who had missed the majority of the 2016 season with torn ligaments in his leg, was added to the Cubs' World Series roster and started as their designated hitter.^[24][25] Schwarber struck out twice, but also doubled and took a walk.^[26] The double made Schwarber the first non-pitcher to get his first hit of the season in the World Series.^[27]

Kluber made World Series history by striking out eight hitters in the first three innings.^[28] Roberto Pérez hit two home runs and became the first ever ninth-place hitter with two homers in a World Series game, the first Indians player to hit two homers in a World Series game, and the first Puerto Rican-born player to hit two homers in a World Series game. His first home run, a solo home run, had an exit velocity of 113 mph, the fastest in the World Series.^[29] Lester gave up three runs, one by hitting a batter with the bases-loaded and the Cub bullpen gave up a three-run home run by Pérez in the eighth. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen finished the victory for the Indians despite Miller having to pitch out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh and the Indians took game one of the series 6–0.^[30] Francona's World Series winning streak reached nine with this victory.

Game 2

Jake Arrieta earned the win in Game 2.

Former Indian Carlos Baerga threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2.^[22] The start time for the game moved up an hour due to the possibility of heavy rain in the forecast.^[31] Looking to tie the series at one game apiece, the Cubs sent Jake Arrieta to the mound against the Indians' Trevor Bauer. The Cubs also featured six players under age 25 in the starting lineup, a postseason record.^[32] The Cubs started things off early as Kris Bryant singled in the first inning and Anthony Rizzo doubled to score Bryant and give the Cubs an early 1–0 lead.^[33] Arrieta started well too, retiring the first two batters before walking back-to-back batters in the bottom of the first. However, Arrieta got a strikeout to end the inning. The Cubs struck again in the third following a two-out walk by Rizzo and a single by Ben Zobrist. A single by Kyle Schwarber scored Rizzo from second and pushed the Cub lead to 2–0. Bauer was forced from the game in the fourth and the Cubs struck again in the fifith. Rizzo walked again and Zobrist tripled to plate Rizzo.^[34] Another run-scoring single by Schwarber and a bases loaded walk by Addison Russell pushed the lead to 5–0.^[35]

Arrieta continued to pitch well, walking three batters but holding the Indians without a hit into the sixth inning.^[36] In the sixth, a double by Jason Kipnis ended the no-hitter and a wild pitch by Arrieta two batters later scored the first Indians run.^[37] Arrieta allowed another single and was lifted for reliever Mike Montgomery. Both teams threatened in the seventh but could not score and, following a single by Mike Napoli in the bottom of the eighth, Aroldis Chapman entered to finish the game for the Cubs. The win marked the Cubs' first World Series win since 1945 and tied up the series at one game all.^[38] The win marked Indians manager Terry Francona's first loss in ten World Series games.

Game 3

Coco Crisp drove in Game 3's only run.

For Game 3, former Cub Billy Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the game, and Bill Murray sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, to mark the Cubs' first World Series night game at home.^[39] Chicago pitcher Kyle Hendricks started against Cleveland pitcher Josh Tomlin.

The game's only run came off a Coco Crisp run batted in (RBI) single that scored Michael Martínez from third in the seventh inning. Josh Tomlin, Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen combined to shut out the Cubs.^[40][41] Allen earned his sixth postseason save as Javier Báez struck out swinging to end the game, leaving the tying and winning runs in scoring position. It was the fourth time in which the Cubs had lost in a shutout during the 2016 postseason.^[42]

Game 4

Corey Kluber earned his second win of the series in Game 4.

For Game 4, former Cub pitchers Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins threw the ceremonial first pitches before the start of the game,^[43] and Vince Vaughn sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.^[44]

Although the Cubs scored first in the first inning, Kluber held them to that one run through six innings before Francona turned it over to the bullpen. Lackey gave up three runs, two of them earned, one in the second and a home run to Carlos Santana in the third. Kris Bryant committed two errors in the second inning. Kipnis put the Indians ahead 7–1 with a three-run home run in the seventh, although the Cubs got one run back in the eighth, on a Dexter Fowler home run off Andrew Miller, the first run he gave up in this post-season.^[45][46]

Game 5

Kris Bryant hit a home run for the Cubs in Game 5.

For Game 5, former Cubs player and Hall of Fame member Ryne Sandberg threw the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the game, and Eddie Vedder sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.^[47] José Ramírez hit a home run for Cleveland in the second inning,^[48] but the Cubs scored three runs in the fourth inning, including a solo home run by Kris Bryant.^[49] With the tying run on second base in the seventh inning, Maddon brought in Aroldis Chapman, who threw  2 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings, earning his first save of the series and fourth overall this postseason.^[50]

Game 6

Addison Russell had six RBIs in Game 6, tying a World Series record.^[51][52]

The Cubs celebrate after their 9-3 win over the Indians in World Series Game 6

The last living member of Cleveland's 1948 World Series championship team, Eddie Robinson, attended Game 6 at Progressive Field.^[53][54] Former Indian pitcher Dennis Martínez threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.^[55]

The Cubs scored three runs in the first inning off a Kris Bryant solo home run and a two-run double by Addison Russell.^[56] In the third inning, Russell hit a grand slam.^[57] It was the first grand slam hit in a World Series since Paul Konerko in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series. In the bottom of the fourth, Mike Napolidrove in Jason Kipnis with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7–1. In the bottom of the fifth, Kipnis drove a ball over the left field wall for a solo home run to make it a 7–2 game. In the top of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, Anthony Rizzo drove a ball to right field for a two run home run to make it 9–2.^[58]

Russell's six RBIs tied a World Series single-game record.^[51][52] Arrieta became the first National League starting pitcher to notch two road wins in a single World Series since the St. Louis Cardinals' Bob Gibson in 1967.^[59]

Game 7

Ben Zobrist won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

The tarp is on the field during the 10th inning

The final out of the 2016 World Series.

Former Indians player Jim Thome threw the ceremonial first pitch before the game.^[60] Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run for Chicago, becoming the first player ever to hit a lead-off home run in a World Series Game 7.^[61] The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single by Santana, but the Cubs scored two runs in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly by Russell and a double by Willson Contreras. To start the fifth inning, Báez hit a home run on the first pitch he saw to center,^[62] but a wild pitch by Jon Lester allowed Santana and Jason Kipnis to score, narrowing the Cubs' lead to 5–3.^[63] David Ross, in his final game, hit another home run at the top of the sixth.^[64] The Indians tied the game in the eighth inning with an RBI double by Brandon Guyer and a two-run home run by Rajai Davis off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman.^[65]

With the game tied 6–6 after nine innings, heavy rain rapidly approached the area and the game went into a 17-minute rain delay.^[66] Going into extra innings, the Cubs scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning on a double by Zobrist and a single by Miguel Montero.^[67] The Indians scored a run on a single by Davis in the bottom of the tenth inning, but Mike Montgomery finished the game for Chicago, ending the series.^[68][69]Zobrist won the World Series MVP award.^[70][71]

The Cubs became the first team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win the Series since the 1985 Kansas City Royals. They were also the first since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates to do so while winning Games 6 and 7 on the road.

Composite line score

Chicago Cubs celebrate their World Series championship victory

2016 World Series (4–3): Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians.

Broadcasting

Television

Fox televised the series in the United States, under contract with Major League Baseball giving it exclusive rights to the World Series through 2021. Joe Buck was the network's play-by-play announcer, with John Smoltz as color commentator and Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci as field reporters.^[72] Fox Deportes also aired the Series and provided a Spanish language simulcast over-the-air via Fox's SAP audio, with Carlos Álvarez and Duaner Sánchez announcing.^[73]

Sportsnet in English and RDS in French televised the series in Canada. Sportsnet used the MLB International feed produced by the MLB Network; Matt Vasgersian was MLB International's play-by-play announcer with the Toronto Blue Jays' play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez as their color analyst and MLB Network correspondent Lauren Shehadi and MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa as field reporters.^{[citation needed]} Alain Usereau and former Montreal Expos player Marc Griffin handled the French-language telecast for RDS.^[74] BT Sport televised the series live in the United Kingdom and Ireland.^[75] WAPA-TV transmitted the series to Puerto Rico, with Rafael Bracero at the helm of the station's sports commentary of the series.^[76]

Ratings

Initial reports often utilize "fast national" ratings, which are subject to revision.^[77] Game 7 had over 40 million viewers, the largest audience for a baseball game since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.^[78][79]

Game	Ratings (households)	Share (households)	U.S. audience (in millions)	Ref
1	11.3	20	19.4	[80]
2	10.2	18	17.4	[81]
3	11.0	20	19.4	[82]
4	9.3	18	16.7	[83]
5	13.1	21	23.6	[84]
6	13.3	23	23.4	[85]
7	21.8	37	40.05	[86]

Radio

ESPN Radio's national network covered the World Series through affiliated stations, with Dan Shulman providing the play-by-play and Aaron Boone serving as color analyst.^[72] Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer appeared as a guest analyst for select innings of Games 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.^[87]

Locally, the teams' flagship stations broadcast the series with their regular announcers. In Cleveland, WTAM (1100) and WMMS (100.7) carried the Indians' play-by-play with Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus, while in Chicago, WSCR (670) carried the Cubs' play-by-play with Pat Hughes, Ron Coomer, and Len Kasper.^[88] The affiliate stations of the teams' regional radio networks were contractually obligated to carry the national ESPN Radio feed.^[89]