Every year, for a short time in October, if the calendar years align ever so nicely, we as sports fans are able to witness all 4 major sports happening at the exact same time. The NFL is in full swing, the NHL season has just begun, the NBA tips off, and the World Series of baseball begins its pursuit to crown its own league champion…but whatever happened to this Fall Classic?
It’s clear as day. Over the course of a 30 year period, what was once the most anticipated championship event in sports has lost over half its viewers; boiling down to essentially only the two major markets to whom are being represented in the Series (an attitude that seems to reflect- if my team ain’t in it, WGAF?). Now I could spend the rest of this article boring you with details as to why this sad occurrence might be (no more ‘roids, Joe Buck’s smug face, games taking 4 effin’ hours to complete to name a few) but that’s not how I intend to use my time. Instead, I think this time would be better spent touching base on why this particular World Series is something to marvel at. So instead of wasting your time casting a vote for another shmuck like Ryan Lochte on Dancing With the Stars, it’s time to #MakeTheSeriesGreatAgain.
For the first time, in nearly everyone in this country's lifetime, the Chicago Cubs have reached the World Series (first appearance since 1945). For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Cleveland Indians have done so as well, with it being their first appearance since 1997. It’s a breath a much needed fresh air for the world of baseball who has seen one or more of the same 6 teams in the series finale for the past 10 seasons. Yet now, two cities who have not seen the Commissioner’s Trophy strut down their version of Main Street in nearly 70 years, will finally have the chance to restore baseball glory to their towns.
Cleveland Indians championship drought: 68 years…
Chicago Cubs championship drought: …108 years...
It almost doesn’t even make sense to fathom those types of numbers, like something out of a Greek myth, or a story your senile grandfather would tell you. This means nearly 2 generations of fans have actually lived and died without seeing a World Series championship for both fan bases. This, ladies and gentleman, is what makes this World Series so special…
Cubs v Indians…history in the making.
The Dawn of the Basement Dwellers
After a heart breaking NLCS loss in 2003 that saw the Chicago Cubs squander a 3 game lead to the Florida Marlins- most notably after a fan interference call on Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman.
The city of Chicago took it upon themselves to do whatever it would take to trade, draft, and spend every last dollar they had to assemble a team that could finally break the nation’s longest championship drought (coined- “The Curse of the Billy Goat”). But after 7 years of continual mishaps, they turned to the big guns- signing a 37 year old Yale graduate, who had most notably broken “The Curse of the Babe” for the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Theo Epstein. Change was on the horizon. Epstein made a promise to the city of Chicago on that dreary fall day in October of 2011 that glory would be restored to one of the leagues oldest franchises, and he wasted no time doing it. During a 4 year period, Epstein aggressively went after the league’s most prominent prospects signing coveted “player’s coach”, Joe Maddon, drafting franchise cornerstones- 3rd baseman Kris Bryant and 2nd baseman Javier Báez, trading for the rights to renowned 1st baseman- Anthony Rizzo, and acquiring venerable pitchers- John Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel, and pitching prospect Jake Arrieta. Finally, the Cub’s had a core to compete.
During this time however, the Cleveland Indians were writing a story of their own. After a devastating loss to first year franchise, the Florida Marlins (those god damn Marlins!!), in the 1997 World Series, the Indians watched as their star-filled roster filled with names such as- Orel Hershiser, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, & Manny Ramírez either retired or took their talents elsewhere. Leaving the team (as most of the franchises in Cleveland are) in a state of mediocrity for nearly two decades. Without the glamour of a city like Chicago or the money to spend, Cleveland was forced to do things the hard way, acquiring young, competitive talent by ways of the draft, and trading away town favorites such as C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee in order to build cap space. It wasn’t until the team signed an ace of their own, however, that their fortunes would change; manager, Terry Francona. Francona, like Theo, was a part of that Red Sox team that broke the curse of the Babe back in 2004 and understood the craving the city of Cleveland and their fan base had to be seen as legitimate again. Like the snap of his Dubble Bubble, Terry immediately cinched the Indians in line, taking the team from 68 to 92 wins in his first season as manager in 2013. Francona saw potential in his players, and convinced the organization that the rebuild was over- the time was now. In three seasons the Indians went from “The Armpit of the Central” to serious postseason contenders behind the efforts of Francona and players such as Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, shortstop sensation Francisco Lindor, World Series champion Mike Napoli, and all around utility man Rajai Davis. The Indians were back, and as poised as ever.
Fast forward to 2016. The Cleveland Indians are the marvel of the American League and the Chicago Cubs hold the best record in baseball. A true rags-to-riches story. Both teams once the laughing stock of the major leagues now stand center stage to become baseball’s finest. This is bigger than some 15 second viral clip. This is the American Dream. This series represents hope and prosperity. It represents what we as Americans stand for- picking ourselves up by our bootstraps and kicking ass until our opponent screams “uncle”.
In a year that’s seen a country rally around a dead gorilla, a 15 year old receive free Vans shoes for life, and reality show business mogul receive the Republican presidential nomination, both the Cubs and Indians are proving there might still be hope in this country. The 2016 World Series holds more value than just crowing a champion. Its story lines run deep in baseball folklore, and its result will be monumental to whichever sports town is lucky enough to clinch it. It brings back reasons why baseball is so great; and even if it’s just for a moment, we as Americans, all have the chance to witness history.