Chicago Cubs: Could This Be the Beginning of a Dynasty?
By Travis Koch
The Chicago Cubs have finally ended their World Series drought. A proud moment, but this is no temporary high. A dynasty is coming.
After 108 years, the Chicago Cubs have ended their infamous World Series drought. The lovable losers became long awaited heroes after winning Game 7 of the 2016 World Series on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Indians. Cubs fans around the country rejoiced, and the Cubs organization let out the greatest sigh of relief ever imaginable.
It could have gone either way… a blown 5-1 lead made an already uncomfortable game even more nerve-racking for Cubs fans. Had Aroldis Chapman given up one more run, Cubs manager Joe Maddon would have gone from the king of the castle to being chased out of town. But Chapman did not give up another run, and Maddon’s questionable bullpen decisions became irrelevant. The end result was a championship, the only result any Cubs fan cared about.
The Cubs have every right to boast in the moment for as long as they desire; however, as an unbiased fan, it’s time to look ahead.
What we’ve all witnessed this year is the beginning of a dynasty. The Cubs dominated the 2016 season. They were the only 100+ win team in MLB and they won a usually competitive NL Central division by an astounding 17.5 games. Such a feat was accomplished thanks to the overwhelming contributions of their young stars. Chicago has five everyday players that are 25 years or younger (including Kyle Schwarber). They are set: seven of their eight starting position players are under contract beyond 2020. Postseason hero Jon Lester and the major leagues’ ERA leader Kyle Hendricks are each signed until 2021. The team will have a major decision to make come 2018 with Jake Arrieta, but even that is two years away.
The organization is simply built to win for a long time. Chicago has arguably the greatest manager in the game in Joe Maddon, a likely 2016 Manager of the Year winner. They have a guaranteed 2016 MVP winner. If the award somehow forgoes Kris Bryant, star first baseman Anthony Rizzo will gladly accept the honor. Their starting rotation is comprised of ERA leaders, postseason showstoppers, and annual Cy Young candidates. Not to be overlooked, the great Theo Epstein has extraordinarily managed to turn the two greatest tragedies in all of sports into feared champions, those being the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
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The Cubs will maintain these valuable pieces for a long time to come.
Who knows when the Cleveland Indians will make it back to the World Series. Undoubtedly a great team, but it’s tough to imagine they’ll be able to grind out a deep postseason run in back-to-back seasons. The Kansas City Royals did it; however, even they took a turn for the worse in their third year after making consecutive World Series appearances.
That will not happen to the Cubs. Once again, we’re talking dynasty. We’re talking a repeat of the late ’90s New York Yankees. A Yankee era led by Paul O’Neill, Darryl Strawberry and Bernie Williams. Don’t forget about the beginning of Derek Jeter. The scary part is that dominant era of Yankees baseball was led by veterans; the Cubs’ dynasty will start with a bunch of kids.
They won’t win every year. Certainly other teams will challenge them. However, it would be far from surprising if they opened up the next five seasons as the favorites to win the World Series. Las Vegas’ way-too-early odds have opened for the 2017 MLB season. Surprise, surprise, the Chicago Cubs lead the pack with 7:2 odds to take the title.
The highly chronicled drought has passed. The goat no longer smells and Steve Bartman might just be able to once again walk the streets of Chicago (or wherever he is). Enjoy it, Cubs fans, you’ve finally won! Now you’re about to be spoiled.