Baseball: The most unlikely World Series ever?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians competing in the World Series, highlighting the historical significance of both teams' long championship droughts. Participants share personal anecdotes, reflections on the teams' performances, and the emotional stakes involved in the matchup.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Cubs and Indians have the longest World Series victory droughts at 118 and 68 years, respectively.
  • Others mention the emotional connection of long-time fans, such as 102-year-old Loretta Dolan, who has been waiting for the Cubs to reach the World Series.
  • A participant references the 1989 film "Back to the Future II," which humorously predicted the Cubs winning the World Series in 2015.
  • Some express excitement about seeing different teams in the World Series rather than the same dominant teams, while others express a desire for the Cubs to lose.
  • There is a discussion about franchises that have never won the World Series, with some suggesting they have an "effective infinite drought." Participants mention teams like the Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals in this context.
  • Participants reflect on the managerial connections between the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox, noting the presence of Theo Epstein and Terry Francona on opposing sides.
  • During the game, updates are provided about the score and pivotal moments, with some expressing hope for the Indians and others celebrating the Cubs' performance.
  • There are comments on the decisions made by Cubs' manager Joe Maddon, with mixed opinions on his risky strategies.
  • A participant shares the story of Mabel Ball, a 108-year-old Cubs fan who passed away shortly after the Cubs' victory, highlighting the emotional weight of the event for long-time fans.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of support for both teams, with some rooting for the Cubs and others for the Indians. There is no consensus on which team is favored, and opinions on the game's outcome vary widely.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions touch on the emotional significance of the World Series for fans with long histories of supporting their teams, as well as the implications of managerial decisions during critical game moments.

jtbell
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The Chicago Cubs have just won the National League championship, and will play in the World Series for the first time since 1945. They last won the Series in 1908.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/22/us/chicago-cubs-world-series-bid/index.html

Normally, I would be delighted to cheer them on, but their opponents will be my "hometown" team, the Cleveland Indians, who have not won the Series since 1948, although they have played in it (and lost) three times since then: 1954, 1995 and 1997.

The Cubs and the Indians have the two longest World Series victory "droughts": 118 and 68 years respectively.
 
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Cubs fan Loretta Dolan has been waiting a while for the Cubs to get to the World Series.

http://abc7chicago.com/sports/102-year-old-cubs-fan-still-keeps-score-of-every-game/1542887/
CHICAGO (WLS) -- http://abc7chicago.com/sports/102-year-old-cubs-fan-still-keeps-score-of-every-game/1542887/
One of the Cubs' biggest fans - and one of their oldest - is Loretta Dolan. At 102 years old, her knowledge of the game is remarkable and her loyalty to the Cubs is unmatched.

Last year (CBS, 2015) — When Loretta Dolan attended her first Cubs game at Wrigley Field, a trip on the bus from her home was 7 cents.
Behind The Plate: 101-Year-Old Cubs Fan Hopes This Is ‘The Year’
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/10/19/behind-the-plate-101-year-old-fan-hopes-this-is-the-year/Another long time fan, Virginia Wood, who will celebrate hare 102nd birthday next month.
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/21/49885...n-hopes-beloved-team-grants-her-birthday-wish
 
Any team can have a bad century.
 
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My dad's a 73 year old Cubs fan, so he's been waiting a while for this...
 
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The outcome will be exciting no matter who wins. Good to see some other teams winning the series than have the same team dominate. I've seen enough giants victories for quite a while.
 
I hope the cubs lose in the most heart breaking way. Sorry I'm a brewers fan :)
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Sorry I'm a brewers fan

Don't worry. If they work really hard, next year they might finish above .500! At least they found a league that will keep them.
 
jtbell said:
The Cubs and the Indians have the two longest World Series victory "droughts": 118 and 68 years respectively.
What about franchises that have never won? Don't they have an effective infinite drought?

I'm rooting for the Cubs in this one, since Cleveland eliminated my beloved Jays. And Save Ferris! :wink:
 
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  • #10
DrClaude said:
What about franchises that have never won? Don't they have an effective infinite drought?
I'd start the clock when they were founded. Hmmm, let's see...

Seattle Mariners, 1977 (39 years)
Washington Nationals (former Montreal Expos), 1969 (47 years)
 
  • #11
Interestingly, the GM (Theo Epstein) and manager (Terry Francona) of the last team to end an infamous championship drought (the 2004 Boston Red Sox) are on opposite sides of this matchup; Epstein is President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs and Francona is manager for Cleveland.
 
  • #12
jtbell said:
I'd start the clock when they were founded. Hmmm, let's see...

Seattle Mariners, 1977 (39 years)
Washington Nationals (former Montreal Expos), 1969 (47 years)
On that measure, ok. The longest drought is then the Texas Rangers/Washington Senators (1961), see http://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/8-mlb-teams-that-have-never-won-the-world-series.html/?a=viewall, so much shorter than the current contestants.
 
  • #13
Ah, OK, I was looking at the teams that have never been in the Series at all.
 
  • #14
Oh wow. Game 7. Indians score 3 runs in the 8th inning to tie it. No score in the 9th so we go to extra innings.

But now it's raining so the game has been suspended before starting the 10th inning...
 
  • #15
Well. That didn't last long. The Cubs are batting first in the 10th...
 
  • #16
Augh! A single, an intentional walk, a single (scoring a run),another intentional walk (huh?),another single (scoring another run).

Bases loaded, one out, Cubs ahead by two.

Barring a miracle when the Indians come to bat, the game is effectively over.
 
  • #17
jtbell said:
Augh! A single, an intentional walk, a single (scoring a run),another intentional walk (huh?),another single (scoring another run).

Bases loaded, one out, Cubs ahead by two.

Barring a miracle when the Indians come to bat, the game is effectively over.

Cleveland needs a miracle.
 
  • #18
Edit: Davis, well played clutch.
 
  • #19
Two outs, a walk, a single (scoring a run)! Can they get one more run to keep it alive?
 
  • #20
Nope. :(
 
  • #21
Nope. Ground ball out, Cubs win 8-7.

So I have to wait some more. Congrats to the Cubs anyway, they've been waiting longer.

Maybe the Indians will finally do it in my lifetime...
 
  • #22
jtbell said:
Nope. Ground ball out, Cubs win 8-7.

So I have to wait some more. Congrats to the Cubs anyway, they've been waiting longer.

Maybe the Indians will finally do it in my lifetime...

Was a good game at any rate, even if the Cubs did win. :p
 
  • #23
Agreed. That was a game (and series) for the ages.

Barbecued goat, anyone? :cool:
 
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  • #24
Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! :partytime:
 
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  • #25
Greg Bernhardt said:
I hope the cubs lose in the most heart breaking way.

Well, you didn't get your wish. Despite 3 errors and a questionable bunt decision.
 
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  • #26
Vanadium 50 said:
Well, you didn't get your wish. Despite 3 errors and a questionable bunt decision.
And a near disastrous pitching decision in game 6. I expected that to come back to bite them.
 
  • #27
Joe Maddon gets a lot of grief for some decisions that are a bit risky. And some of them do turn out badly - or at least look like they are about to. But often they do work (and then there is silence). The Cubs' record indicates that on the whole, the risks are working out.
 
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