Carrie Muskat - The Big 50: Chicago Cubs: The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Cubs

For Cubs fans

Contents

Foreword by Anthony Rizzo

The 2015 Cubs season was a dream season. We turned things around and won a wild-card spot; beat the Pirates, then the Cardinals; and got to the NLCSand then had our hearts just shattered when we were swept by the New York Mets.

In 2016, we put it all together and finished what we thought we were going to do in 15. From start to finish in 16, we were the best team and finished it off with that epic Game 7, which was the icing on top of a season that will never be forgotten in baseball history.

There was a lot of nervous energy before the last out in Game 7. I was thinking, Dont drop the ball, follow it all the way in all the basic things. I was a little nervous with the play, because I thought the runner was a little faster and it was a little wet because of the rain and Kris [Bryant] was coming in. Once you catch it and hands go up, its party time.

I did put the ball in my back pocket. That was predetermined with the division series and the championship series too. I still have the championship series ball. Thats history. We were on the right side of history, and it can never be taken from us.

My first year with the Cubs, in 2012, we lost 101 games. Ive seen the whole organization transform from then to making things happen right away. The change was from top to bottom and included everyone who worked here, from the clubhouse staff to the players. It was the whole organization, and not just the baseball operations, but the business side and everyone. It was cool to see that grow.

As the years went on2012, 13, 14the front office traded players as part of the rebuilding process, and it was really tough to have guys dealt midseason because thats who you go to spring training with and who you go to battle with every day. After 2014, when the Cubs traded Jeff Samardzija, it felt like this would be the last time theyd be trading guys. And then in 2016, we celebrated with a World Series championship.

When we won in 16, I thought about past Cubs players. Ernie Bankswhen he was around I got to know him well and it was really cool to talk to him about the game. Billy Williams, Rick Sutcliffe, Ryne Sandberg, Ryan Dempster, Kerry Woodso many people have put this uniform on. And there are so many great Cubs players who never got to hold that trophy.

After being part of that incredible season, Im looking forward to reading more about Cubs history in this book.

Its different when you wear this Cubs uniform. That 2016 team was a feel-good team and made everyone who ever played here feel good too. Winning the World Series was something that everyone who has ever put this uniform on could be proud of.

Anthony Rizzo is a first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and a three-time All-Star. In 2016, he helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.

1. Game 7, 2016 World Series

The morning of November 2, 2016, began like any other day on the road for Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who was with his fianc, Emma. They had breakfast near the team hotel in Cleveland, then lounged around before it was time to prepare for that nights game.

When I left the hotel to go to the park, I kind of gave Emma a little look Im pitching Game 7 , Hendricks said. But it really was no differentit was strange. I think it goes back to the mental space I was in at the time was so simplified and focused on execution. It was a normal day.

It was anything but a normal day for generations of Cubs fans. Their beloved team was one win away from its first World Series championship since 1908. The Cubs had overcome a 31 deficit in this series and could end decades of angst and frustration by winning Game 7 that night against the Indians at Progressive Field.

In 2015, manager Joe Maddons first year with the team, the Cubs won 97 games and reached the postseason as a wild-card team. He had dismissed any talk that the Cubs were cursed.

Ive never really dealt with the word curse I dont believe in those kind of things, Maddon said. As a team, my expectations are to get to the playoffs, win the division, and then play the last game of the year and win it. Thats the expectation of all of us.

But that first season ended with a loss to the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. The Cubs began the 2016 season with nearly the same roster but were missing leadoff man Dexter Fowler, a free agent who was rumored to be headed to the Orioles after signing a three-year deal.

[Anthony Rizzo] told me, Good luck, Im going to miss you, my man, said Fowler, who had a little surprise for his Cubs teammates.

On February 25, before spring training games began, Maddon gathered the players on a backfield at their complex in Mesa, Arizona. He said he had a special announcement and stood on the mound, hoping everyone was paying attention to him. Fowler snuck up behind the players, having decided to sign a one-year, $8 million deal.

The main motivation? Fowler said they had some unfinished business after reaching the NL Championship Series in 2015.

My hearts here, Fowler said of the Cubs.

Their leadoff man was back.

In June, Wilson Contreras was promoted from Triple-A Iowa and delivered a pinch-hit two-run homer in his first at-bat. The Cubs had improved their catcher situation.

Third baseman Kris Bryant became a leading Most Valuable Player candidate on June 27 when he hit three home runs and two doubles in Cincinnati. Bryant, who finished with six RBIs, also played three positions in the game, moving from third base to right field to left field.

The kids could play.

The Cubs had a seven-game lead at the All-Star break and filled another gap at the trade deadline when they acquired controversial closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees. The left-hander, whose fastball regularly registered at 100 mph, had begun that season serving a 30-game suspension for violating Major League Baseballs domestic violence policy. Cubs executives made certain Chapman understood their own expectations before the deal was finalized.

You cant take for granted the position were in right now, Cubs president of baseball operations at the time, Theo Epstein, said. We believe in these guys. We feel like we have a chance to do something special, but theres a lot of work ahead.

The Cubs did have a special season, leading MLB with 103 wins. They ousted the San Francisco Giants in the NL Division Series and rallied against the West Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Championship Series, including a win over Clayton Kershaw in Game 6 to advance.

Epstein and then-general manager Jed Hoyer had helped end the Boston Red Soxs long World Series drought in 2004, but the rebuilding process with the Cubs had been far more extensive. They lost 101 games in their first season in Chicago in 2012.

This is more special, Hoyer said of the 2016 Cubs. To come in here and do this in year five with all these kids, it really is special. With anything in life, if something is difficult and you have some adversity, it is sweeter.

Maddon liked to say he wasnt superstitious, just a little stitious. He tucked his late fathers Anaheim Angels cap from the 2002 World Series in his backpack for support.

The Cubs needed help from above. They fell behind 31 in the best-of-seven series against the Indians, then won Game 5 at Wrigley Field on October 30. Two days later, 22-year-old shortstop Addison Russell smacked a grand slam and finished with six RBIs to spark a 93 win and even the series.