CLEVELAND >> The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series championship since 1908 when Ben Zobrist hit a go-ahead double in
the 10th inning, beating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in a thrilling Game 7
delayed by rain early Thursday.
Lovable losers for generations, the Cubs nearly let this one
get away, too. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman blew a three-run lead
with two outs in the eighth when Rajai Davis hit a tying homer.
But the Cubs, after tormenting their fans one more time,
came right back after a 17-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th
and scored twice. Davis hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom
half, but Mike Montgomery got the final out.
Manager Joe Maddon’s team halted the longest title drought
in baseball, becoming the first club to overcome a 3-1 Series deficit
since the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
Cleveland was trying to win its first crown since 1948, but lost the last two games at home.
World Series favorites since spring training, Chicago led
the majors with 103 wins this season. The Cubs then ended more than a
century of misery for their loyal fans.
