The Chicago Cubs Are World Series Champions, by Chuck Strom

No, the title is not a misprint. In fact, this post is mostly an excuse to write that line, which has been so long in coming.

One person with extra motivation to be happy today is Aroldis Chapman, who escaped by the narrowest of margins the fate of becoming the latest victim of the Billy Goat. The joy and relief on his face after the Cubs re-took the lead that he’d given up will be hard to forget. Right behind Chapman is his manager, Joe Maddon, who, if the Cubs had lost, would have heard no end of second-guessing of his management of his pitchers in the last two games. Nothing forgives like winning, and the Cubs have now quieted their ghosts and buried a century’s worth of bones.

Many have suggested that we’ll be seeing a lot more winning from these Cubs. This is mostly due to their young and talented lineup—their pitching is actually on the gray side, but Theo will take care of that. I would agree with this, not just because of their young talent but even more for the resilience that they demonstrated in winning their title. Somehow, adversity makes this team play better, and it is hard to imagine it being anything but a tough out for future October opponents. It’s the same quality that the San Francisco Giants have had in winning their championships, and I predict right now that the Cubs’ 2016 trophy will have company before the decade is out.

Fasten your seat belts, Cub fans. The fun is just getting started.

– Chuck Strom