MLB Playoffs: Reliving 2016 World Series Game Seven

It’s been a full month since the last Major League Baseball game was played. Most seasons, fans have a general idea of when the season will end. The World Series is always the final series, but it might last four games and it might last seven. This year it lasted seven games. We as fans entered that Wednesday evening knowing that one of the two teams, the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs, would be crowned champions. That alone was thrilling.

The context of the game made it even more thrilling. The Chicago Cubs are well-known for their large gap of years between championships, but on the other side of the ball was the Cleveland Indians. They were, and remain to this day, the team in the American League with the longest World Series drought. That night a champion would be crowned, and it would be for the first time in far too long for either franchise. An already thrilling game seven suddenly had a much deeper meaning.

By the end of the night, many were calling it the best game of all-time. If they weren’t willing to go that far, others remarked that it was the best game of their lifetime or the best game they’d ever watched. Recency bias played its part that night, no doubt. Fans were left speechless multiple times throughout the game. By the time it was over, it seemed as though baseball had nothing more to give. A game 7 for the World Series. Being played by two teams with a long history of losing. A late game-tying home run. Extra innings. A rain delay. The game simply had it all.

For that reason, I think it’s fitting that we look back now, a month removed from the game, and take stock of the moments that seemed so thrilling at the time. I have compiled what I determined to be the top 10 moments from the game. The rankings of the moments were determined based on effect they had on the game and context based on the series, player’s history, etc.. May this serve as a reminder that remarks of it being the best game of all-time were not completely farfetched.

A couple moments that didn’t quite make the top ten: Kyle Schwarber‘s infield single and subsequent stolen base in the first inning. Rajai Davis‘s single in the bottom of the 10th that pulled the Indians within one run of the Cubs.

10. Albert Almora‘s Tag Up (10th inning)

This moment is most likely forgotten by many, even those that are Cubs fans. It was a simple play, really. Runners tag up on fly balls during almost every single baseball game. It’s a huge facet of the game that even scored a run for the Cubs earlier in the game. What Almora did, however, was no simple tag up.

One of the most interesting parts of the game, to me, is base-running. When I played baseball, it was my greatest strength. It was fun to consider the strategy and take a base every time the other team offered it up to you. As a high schooler playing against weak competition, that happened often for me. I imagine that running the bases at the highest level of baseball is somewhat more complicated. At the root of it, the idea is the same. It’s similar to a common belief in scientific modeling that you make a model as simple as possible, until it’s too simple. In base-running, you take as many bases as you can, until you can’t. The fine line between smart base-runner and overly aggressive base-runner should not be crossed.

Albert Almora crossing the line from smart base-runner to overly aggressive base-runner would have been bad news for the Cubs. Rather than having a runner on first with no outs, they would have no runners and one out. Luckily for the Cubs, Albert Almora did not cross that line. Instead, he made the smartest base-running play of the game. Let me remind you that this game included Schwarber wisely stealing a base, Kris Bryant having two great base-running plays to score runs, Jason Heyward taking two bases on one pitch, and two runs scoring on a single wild pitch. Winning the crown of smartest base-running play of the game was no easy task for Almora.

On a play that almost no other runners would have tagged up, he did. It was a flyball to deep center that most runners would have been past second base on. Instead, Almora read it off the bat perfectly and quickly scampered back to first base. His decision-making in that split second led to the Cubs scoring their first of two runs in the top of the 10th inning. His run wasn’t the winning run, but it proved to be crucial to the Cubs winning the game.

9. Brandon Guyer’s Double (8th inning)

A lot happened in the eight inning of this game. The home run that tied the game is much higher on this list, for good reason. However, we should not forget another key hit that happened during the same half inning. That hit is Brandon Guyer’s RBI double.

There were two outs, but Jose Ramirez stood on first base. All Chapman had to do was get Guyer out. It shouldn’t have been a problem for the flame-throwing reliever. But Chapman was gassed from being heavily worked throughout the postseason. The decision to use him with a large lead the night before was seeming like it might come back to bite Joe Maddon in the butt.

That’s when Guyer took the ball into right center field for a double. Ramirez would score on the play, bringing the Indians to within two runs of the Cubs. They only had four outs remaining to score those two runs, but at that point in the game every run counted. It won’t be remembered like many of the other moments in this game, but it’s importance should not be forgotten.

What Guyer did in that at bat, driving in a run, made what happened during the next at bat all the more important. As you know, in the end the effort was futile. However, for one moment, in that one half inning, Cleveland fans felt a twinge of hope while Cubs fans held back a wave of dread. Brandon Guyer was a huge part of that half inning, and it should not be forgotten.

8. Jon Lester’s Wild Pitch (5th inning)

This pitch could have had disastrous consequences for the Cubs. The Cubs were rolling along with a free and easy lead when Joe Maddon inexplicably took Kyle Hendricks out of the game. In came Jon Lester, who was on short rest. As could be expected from a pitcher who never comes out of the bullpen in a sticky situation, Lester was shaky to start. This wild pitch allowed two runs to score. Yes, that’s right. Two runs. I know you may not remember that fact. If you’re a Cubs or Indians fan, surely you do. But in a game so long and chock full of wonderful moments, a weird event like two runs scoring on a single wild pitch is probably forgotten.

That leads to what really makes this moment great. The pitch was a wild pitch. It bounced off the dirt and right to David Ross‘s head. This initially was a cause for concern. Catchers notoriously get hit in the head by pitches, which leads to one of the worst injuries, a concussion. After further review, Ross did not stumble like a drunken sailor because he was knocked out. Instead, he tripped over his own feet.

The man who had endured a long career of hard work. A very athletic man, no doubt. A man who took the great Andrew Miller deep in this game (we’ll get there). That athletic man, in the final game of his career, tripped over his feet. It was a much-needed moment of levity in one of the tensest games that has been played in recent memory. For that reason, it appears on this list. It sits above some other moments because it also bore weight in the game. Those two runs put the Indians within a single run of the Cubs.

Jon Lester would proceed to shut down the Indians for the next two innings, but the Indians jumping within a single run of the Cubs would be vitally important to the later innings of the game. An important play with a moment of levity made an oft-forgotten play one of the best moments in one of the best games of all-time.

6. Javier Baez’s Home Run (5th inning)

Javier Baez was incredibly impressive during the NLDS series against the San Francisco Giants. He played great defense, ran the bases well, and hit like a maniac. It was what many deemed, myself included, as a coming out party for Baez as one of the premier players on a loaded Chicago Cubs roster. In the NLCS, he continued to impress on his way to being awarded the co-MVP award for the series. After lighting the world on fire in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Baez was held silent in the World Series.

Baez looked lost at the plate for most of the series, swinging at pitches outside the zone like it was 2014 and becoming an embodiment of the word “pressing.” It was tough for fans to watch Baez go from the thrilling hitter and fielder of the first two playoff series to a player that looked like he hardly belonged on a big league roster. It was almost certainly tougher for Baez to live through. He was visibly angered at his failures.

In the final game of one of Baez’s worst series of the season, he was able to get a hold of a Kluber pitch and drive it out of the ballpark. It was important to the game, because it was another run scored for the Cubs, but it was even more important for Baez. It took the monkey off his back. His home run was just a small step for the Cubs on their journey to winning Game 7, but it lands in the middle of this least because of how meaningful it was to Baez. The relief can almost be seen as Baez rounds the bases following his deep jack.

It also kicked Corey Kluber out of the game in the top of the 5th inning, which would be important to the Cubs efforts throughout the rest of the game. Andrew Miller would be forced to enter the game earlier than planned. That had a domino effect on the Indians’ bullpen, which led to the unique situation for both teams in the 10th inning. It was a huge moment for Baez, and one of the key moments in the Cubs victory.

5. Ben Zobrist’s Double (10th inning)

We have arrived at the top five moments of the game. The other five before this were certainly exciting baseball moments. These top five, however, are on a whole different level. These are the moments that had direct impacts on the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series championship in 108 years. The first of the top five comes from the 10th inning of the ballgame.

With runners on first and second and just a single out, the Indians were hoping for a ground ball to get out of the inning. They were able to get the former, but the latter was not true. Ben Zobrist drove a ground ball past the third baseman for an important double. That double scored Albert Almora from second base and sent Anthony Rizzo to third. As with some of the other key moments in the game, the reaction from the players showed just how important it was. Anthony Rizzo is seen after reaching third base with his hands on his head in disbelief of the moment.

As Rizzo strolled into third base, I can’t even imagine what went through his mind. The go-ahead run had just scored in front of his eyes. The Cubs were seemingly three outs away from winning the World Series. Rizzo was on third with only one out. His “oh my god” reaction was completely apt.

Rizzo wasn’t the only player who showed his emotion on the play. Anthony Rizzo strolled into third, but Ben Zobrist leaped into second base. It was a moment that even the players in the moment recognized. It did not lead to the winning run of the game, but that was not known at the time. It was a turning point for the Cubs following the rain delay, and it led to them winning the game.

4. David Ross’s Home Run (6th inning)

David Ross was playing the final game of his career. His final game was Game 7 of the World Series. That’s a significant moment of its own. Ross isn’t a player like David Ortiz who deserved or even wanted a season long parade around the league in his final season. He had a simple goal to reach 100 career home runs, which he achieved. He was a career backup, but a great teammate and wonderful catcher. The young Cubs had accepted him as their father figure and a leader in the clubhouse.

It was fitting that he had a significant moment in the most important game in Chicago Cubs history. He entered the game with Jon Lester in the fifth inning, and promptly fell on his caboose well chasing a Jon Lester wild pitch. He provided a moment of levity in that inning, and thankfully he hadn’t been hit in the head.

Following that inning, he had to face Andrew Miller in the top of the 6th inning. Miller was the most dominant pitcher in the 2016 playoffs. He struck out batters like it was going out of style and seemed practically un-hittable. Just as Fowler’s home run broke a trend of Kluber dominance, Ross’s homer broke a trend of Miller dominance.

For a man that just barely managed to eclipse 100 home runs in his career, hitting a home run in such an important spot against such a great pitcher was huge. The Indians had just pulled within a single run. David Ross increased the spread to two runs. In such a close game, each run was vitally important. Ross’s home run came in the latter innings, which made it even more meaningful for the Cubs. It didn’t hurt that it was a feel-good moment for David Ross in his final game.

On a less serious note, nobody can forget Joe Buck cutting to mic’d up Ross as he rounded the bases to listen to what he had to say. That segue was followed by about 20 seconds of awkward silence and breathing as Ross trotted around the bases. Joe Buck then said one of the funniest lines, considering the context, “there are no words.”

3. The Rain Delay (10th inning)

Rain had begun to fall during the 9th inning, but it seemed like it would stop. When the broadcast returned from commerical following the completion of the 9th, the tarp was suddenly being brought out. When the broadcast then showed the radar it seemed like the game would be suspended for quite some time. Admittedly, I had no idea where Cleveland or the stadium sat on the map (thanks high school geography), but there was a huge line of storms that appeared to be headed toward the middle of the screen. I, and many others, hunkered down for long haul with the most important game of the season headed into extra innings.

One of the best games of all time seemingly refused to finish. As fans prepared for a late finish to the game, the players were gathered in their respective parts of the stadium. The Cubs met in an equipment room. There was crying, there was disbelief. For a team that embraced the target and ignored the curse, there had to have been some doubts running through their minds. What if the curse is real? What if they lose this game. Those who were directly responsible for the game being tied in the 8th inning, Aroldis Chapman in particular, cried and were visibly upset.

That’s when Jason Heyward spoke up. He had only been in the Cubs clubhouse for a single season, but already he had risen to a role of leadership. He had done so during the worst season of his career. It was a feat that speaks volumes about the type of person that Heyward must be. The guy who likely felt like he provided the team with very little spoke up as a leader of the team. He reminded them that they were the best team in baseball for a reason. He reminded them that they had been through tough games. He reminded them that the game was far from over.

Heyward’s speech was echoed by other team leaders like Dexter Fowler and David Ross. Following the rain delay, the Cubs headed out to the field beaming with confidence. Kyle Schwarber began the inning with a single. It wasn’t much later that Ben Zobrist hit his run-scoring double, and Miguel Montero drove in the winning run.

2. Rajai Davis’s Home Run

Many of the moments in this list were great because of the excitement they instilled in the fans watching. Others were great because of their baseball significance. Only one moment in this game was great because of the utter disbelief that it left fans in. That moment was in the 8th inning of the ballgame.

Brandon Guyer had just hit a double to score a run, putting the Indians just two runs behind the Cubs with 4 outs remaining in the game. Aroldis Chapman appeared to be gassed on the mound, a direct effect of Joe Maddon deciding to use him the day before in a situation where he wasn’t necessarily needed. Rajai Davis strode to the plate as a player who seemed like he wouldn’t harm the Cubs.

After a long at-bat where Davis had fouled a few pitches off, Davis took a Chapman fastball for a ride. With two outs in the 8th inning, the game was suddenly tied. The crowd in Cleveland went nuts. Cubs fans fell silent. Neutral fans were in awe of such a moment. Before Davis’s home run, the game was a great game. There was a lot on the line and both teams were exchanging punches. Davis’s home run is what took this game from a great game to one of the best games of all time. It ultimately led to Game 7 of the World Series reaching extra innings.

The raw emotion that was seen from the Cubs in some of their key moments was seen from an Indians player for one of the first times all night. As Davis rounded second base, he stuck out his tongue in a fitting display of the utter joy one has from hitting such an important home run in such an important game. In the end, it wasn’t enough for the Indians to get a win. However, it played a key role in making this game one of the best of all time.

1. Miguel Montero’s RBI Single

Miguel Montero saw his playing time wane as the 2016 season drew to a close. Willson Contreras was making his presence known as a rookie, both at the plate and behind it. David Ross was getting his fair share of starts with Jon Lester and others on the mound. It left Montero in an odd place as the Cubs went deeper and deeper into the postseason. Throughout the World Series, Montero was passed on in favor of Willson Contreras because of the offensive output Contreras was expected to have.

While it’s not exclusively true, it seems like the most unlikely players are the ones who step up in the postseason to help their team win. Conor Gillaspie did it for the Giants in the Wild Card game this season. David Freese did it in the 2011 World Series. Miguel Montero acted as the unlikely hero for the Cubs.

A lot of other plays in the 10th inning draw attention. Kyle Schwarber’s single was important in kicking the inning off. Albert Almora’s tag up was a smart and important play that led to him scoring a run. Ben Zobrist’s double gave the Cubs the lead and seemingly pushed him just ahead of every other Cub in the World Series MVP rankings. All of those moments were important.

The most important moment of this game, however, was the one that led to the winning run of the game. Without Montero’s hit the game would have headed into the 11th inning. Who knows what happens from there. Instead, Montero strode to the plate and delivered in one of his very few plate appearances of the postseason. His hit was the decisive run-scoring play in Game 7 of the World Series. His hit gave the Cubs their first World Series championship in 108 years.

Next: Braves acquire Jaime Garcia

For that reason, Montero’s hit was the most important moment of one of the greatest baseball games to ever be played.