Chicago Cubs claim first World Series since 1908 after thrilling finish
11.10am GMT
Related: Chicago Cubs end most storied title drought in American sporting folklore
11.10am GMT
Related: World Series 2016 Game 7: Chicago Cubs beat Cleveland Indians – in pictures
5.11am GMT
The Cubs will wake up as champions for the first time in more than a century, and Cleveland fans, who should be proud of this ballclub, will begin to pick up the pieces. The season is over, winter is coming and months will pass before the carousel starts up for another round. It’s been a historic playoffs - thank for following it with us. Stay tuned for more World Series coverage, but for now, thanks for reading, and wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and goodnight.
Related: Cubs win first World Series title since 1908 after beating Indians in Game 7
5.05am GMT
It wouldn’t have been the same if Chicago steamrolled over Cleveland.
It needed to be hard earned, they needed to be pressed to the limit. The Cubs needed to climb out of a 3-1 hole, because if you’re going to undo 108 years of history, it has to come in a unique way. They had to blow a 5-1 lead. They had to watch their nearly flawless closer melt down. They had to bring on a pair of back-end roster relievers to pull it out.
4.56am GMT
How about that? I mean (shaking his head) I’ve seen the guys and the coaches and the players who have been through it all, and the fans...it’s unbelievable, to be a part of this, I don’t have words to really tell you how I feel about this, I think it’s all surreal.
-Jon Lester
4.54am GMT
@Guys_page @LengelDavid @GdnUSsports For Cubs fans the answer is obvious. But was this the greatest baseball game ever? #FlyTheW
It’s gonna be up there!
4.52am GMT
It happened, Chicago it happened we did it we’re World Champions! I can’t believe it...I can’t even put it into words...we’re in the books, this team is in history together we’re brothers forever!
-Anthony Rizzo
4.51am GMT
Mike Martinez’ grounder lands into the glove of Kris Bryant - he fires to first in time and THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS FINALLY HAPPENED!
After 108 years, countless heartbreak, and generations of fans living without witnessing their team win a title, have seen it now!
4.48am GMT
The Chicago Cubs have won the World Series for the first time since 1908!
4.47am GMT
Wouldn't it be something if Trevor Bauer and Mike Montgomery end up as the final pitchers tonight in relief. Hart High teammates.
4.46am GMT
Cubs 8-7 Indians, bottom of the 10th
That will do it for Edwards Jr - here comes Mike Montgomery to get the hardest out. Breathe everyone breathe.
4.45am GMT
Davis - a line drive base hit to center, Guyer, who had taken second on defensive indifference comes around to score! We have ourselves a one-run ballgame!
4.43am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
BALL FOUR! Here comes Rajai Davis, who seems to have some sort of penchant for the dramatic - he represents the tying run, just as he did in the eighth. Pitching coach Chris Bosio is on for a chat. Now he’s gone - here we go.
4.42am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
Right down Broadway - 3-1.
4.41am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
It’s 3-0. Think he’s going to take this pitc?
4.40am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
It’s 2-0 to Guyer...did you think this was going to be easy?
4.40am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
Ground ball to short - Russell has it, fires to first - two down!
4.39am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
Now it’s 2-2.
4.38am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
It’s o-2 to Ramirez!
4.38am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
He’s 25 and was a 48th round draft pick - now he has the first out of the biggest inning in franchise history.
4.36am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, bottom of the 10th
Carl Edwards Jr comes on to try and save this World Series for the Cubs, just as Joe Maddon drew it up. Napoli is first.
4.34am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Baez skies to center, easy for Davis, and the Cubs are THREE OUTS AWAY!
4.33am GMT
Keep all sharp objects, including Swiss Army knife references, away from Bauer. @LengelDavid
Very sharp reply!
4.32am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Baez, a huge cut on a 1-1 95MPH fastball. Can Bauer get past the Cubs second baseman and keep their lead at two?
4.30am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Heyward swings at a pitch barely out of the hand of Bauer and it’s 0-2. Another ball in the dirt and Heyward can’t help himself again - strike three, two down. Here is Baez.
4.28am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, top of the 10th
So the bases are still loaded, there is still one out and now here comes Trevor Bauer, a starter who knows a thing or two about relieving, as he started the season in the bullpen and has been a sort of Swiss Army knife for Francona. Heyward at the playte.
4.25am GMT
Cubs 8-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Here comes Tito to get Shaw, who may or may not have been affected by the rain delay.
4.24am GMT
YES THEY CAN! Montero delivers a pinch hit RBI knock and the Cubs are suddenly up two!
4.23am GMT
Cubs 7-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Can the Cubs get that insurance run? Addison Russell is intentionally walked - so it’s bases loaded and one out for the pinch-hitting Miguel Montero
4.21am GMT
He wastes a pitch and then goes opposite field! Base hit, here comes Almora around to score - Cubs lead!
4.19am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Zobrist is down in the count - it’s 1-2!
4.18am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 10th
Bryant skies DEEP TO CENTER, at the wall - Davis makes the catch - Almora tags - great base running! Now Rizzo is walked intentionally, and here is Zobrist batting with runners on first and second and one out.
4.15am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 10th
It’s 2-2 to Bryant. The crowd are eerily quiet...
4.14am GMT
Schwarber steps in and promptly takes Shaw to right field, beating the shift for a lead-off base hit! He’s removed for a pinch runner after his third hit of the ninth.
Albert Almora Jr is now standing at first and Bryant is at the plate!
4.10am GMT
@LengelDavid Somewhere in Hollywood a scriptwriter just put down a deposit on a new Mustang
4.07am GMT
Chapman
FOX TV in the US is saying that Chapman was crying as he left the dugout. His season is surely done after the break, which could be ending at 12:15 EST. How about Shaw? Is he done?
4.05am GMT
A-Rod
Alex Rodriguez has been telling anyone who would listen over the past few days that Chapman is a routine guy, who likes to work clean ninth innings and that Maddon was playing with fire. A-Rod, A-Genius (rimshot).
4.01am GMT
Monday 27 October 2008
It was Game 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia where the Phillies were trying to clinch against the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays, managed by Joe Maddon. The game was suspended in the top of the sixth inning.
3.58am GMT
For my next trick...
I will be belly-flopping across the tarp.
3.55am GMT
Just to recap
The Cubs were just four outs away from a World Series title when lightning struck - Rajai Davis’ two-run line-drive home run to left field tied this game up, all off Aroldis Chapman. And so we’re still in the midst of a heart stopping Game 7 of the World Series.
3.53am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
Lindor pops out gently to right, and, well, of course we are going to extra innings, right?
3.52am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
High heat - 98MPH - Kipnis can’t catch up with it - it’s his second strikeout of the night and now it’s up to Francisco Lindor.
3.50am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
The count is full to Jason Kipnis. The crowd is up, loud and ready. Will they get what they want?
3.49am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
Kipnis, down the right field line - slicing...FOUL! It’s 1-2.
3.48am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
Santana lifts slider into left field, easy for Zobrist - one down. Kipnis is next.
3.47am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
It’s 3-1 to Santana...
3.45am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 9th
Here we go! Carlos Santana is first to face Chapman!
3.44am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
Fowler, weekly hit but deep in the infield hole up the middle - Lindor, RANGING TO HIS LEFT - he has it, makes the throw - IN TIME! INNING OVER! WOW!!!
3.42am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
Baez shows bunt and fouls it off! What? Are you serious? Maddon is having a very bad night to say the absolute very least.
3.40am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
It’s 3-1 to Baez. Pitch, and there goes Heyward! Gomes throws it away - Heyward is on his horse - he’s going to third!
3.36am GMT
For those interested, here’s the ex-Yankee fan enjoying the game.
.@KingJames approves.#WorldSeries #Game7 on @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/vjuKK59qMo
3.35am GMT
The umps get together - but ultimately, it’s Heyward at first because the slide is deemed legal.
That means one out, a runner on, Baez coming up, Allen is heading out, Shaw is coming in.
3.33am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
Heyward grounds to second - could this be two? Kipnis flips to Lindor, but he’s taken out by Coghlan and Heyward is on thanks to a fielders choice.
3.31am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
Drums beat at progressive Field, hearts beat harder. Allen continues to check the runner at first.
3.30am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
Allen throws over to Coghlan at first. Heyward wastes another one. His pitch count is nearly 30. Where is Shaw warming in the pen?
3.28am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
A blistering line drive down the line by Heyward...foul! Still 2-2.
3.28am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
It’s 2-2 - there’s no bunting now - Coglhlan is going but it’s fouled off!
3.26am GMT
Hang on to your hat. This ain't no Super Bore!@LengelDavid
You ain’t just whistling Dixie!
3.26am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, top of the 9th
It’s raining in Cleveland!
3.24am GMT
Stats
So if you had history happening inside history, you’re the winner tonight. A game tying home run, the first to come in the eighth inning or later, in a World Series Game 7. Rajai Davis is your answer to that pub quiz question.
3.21am GMT
@LengelDavid Rajai Davis Home Runs, almost as rare as Cubs World Series wins. Who'd have predicted that??
3.21am GMT
Cubs 6-6 Indians, bottom of the 8th
Travis Wood is up in the bullpen - he’s one of those relievers Maddon has absolutely no faith in. Meanwhile, the three-run, two-out rally is over after Yan Gomes strikes out, and, believe it, we go to the ninth inning, tied!
3.17am GMT
Okay I'm officially withdrawing my prediction that there was no way Game 7 could live up to the massive hype. @LengelDavid
LeBron likes what he sees! The internet will break!
3.17am GMT
Rajai. Davis.
Cleveland. Legend. #Game7 pic.twitter.com/PptzTVwcu5
Rajai Davis - a line drive rocket to left has enough! IT’S OUT OF HERE! CLEVELAND HAVE HUNG A THREE-SPOT IN THE EIGHTH! We are tied - this is happening!!!!
3.12am GMT
Five o’clock lightning! Guyer strikes, a double in the right field gap - Ramirez comes around to score and it’s a two-run ballgame!
The Tribe are a blast away from tying this game!
3.09am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 8th
So here’s Aroldis Chapman, who has been asked to take on an incredible workload to help the Cubs take this all the way home.
3.07am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 8th
Ground ball to shortstop and it’s too to tough for Russell - that’s a two-out base hit for Jose Ramirez.
3.04am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 8th
Napoli is caught looking as the would-be Cubs curse killing architect Theo Epstein looks on with his son! That’s four K’s for Lester and now that ring is four outs away!
3.01am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 8th
Lester is still in there - could he go all the way?
3.00am GMT
This film is called When Grandpa Strikes!
Say goodbye, @D_Ross3. #Game7 pic.twitter.com/lJLblgpvlB
2.59am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 8th
Russell pops to the right side - easy for Napoli, side retired. Now, about these six outs...
2.56am GMT
Regardless of who wins, it is going to be historic. Starting to get to the nerve jangling last few outs... @LengelDavid #WorldSeries
@LengelDavid Chicago Is Going To Win And The Hole world is going to celabrating
2.55am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 8th
Now Zobrist is up he cracks a sharply hit ground ball that is backhanded down the chalk by Napoli who runs over to the bag for the second out. Now it’s Russell.
2.53am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 8th
Allen gets Rizzo on strikes - the ball gets away but Gomes, the new Brazilian catcher, has it and fires over to first base for the out. One down.
2.49am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 7th
It’s 1-2 to Kipnis who chases a ball low and away and that’s the inning!
2.48am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 7th
Lester just misses on 2-2 so the count is full to the Tribe’s backstop. Perez wastes one straight back, before Lester misses inside - a walk and a one-out base runner, who is then replaced by the speedier Naquin.
2.43am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 7th
Lester remains and continues to retire Cleveland Indians - this time it’s Crisp, popping out to left field where Zobrist is waiting. Roberto Perez is next...
2.40am GMT
Get up, shake it out, wherever you are, and enjoy this version of Take Me Out to the Ball Game from...1908.
2.38am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 7th
Bryant whiffs and Fowler is cut down looking to run! It’s a strike’em out, throw’em out, and that ends the inning with Chicago counting down the outs!
2.36am GMT
9 outs away Grandma! Watching game via @LengelDavid https://t.co/Hi9tGB9Cou
Is it gonna happen? It may happen!
2.34am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 7th
So here’s Allen, who, to be fair, has allowed zero runs in 16 and 2/3 innings. It’s not that he shouldn’t be pitching now, but Shaw should have had the inning prior, but I’m moving on now.
2.32am GMT
More air up there
Simon Higgins is up, up and away!
2.31am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 7th
Schwarber hits a fly ball to left that’s hooking toward the foul pole - Crisp is there to put it away near the line and that’s the first out of the inning, that as we see pictures of Bill Murray and Charlie Sheen.
2.28am GMT
Email
“Got to give you a shout out “Thank you” for doing this. I’m in the mountains in AZ at a cabin, no tv, no radio, just internet. Stumbled on to this and it’s doing the job. Thanks to your effort I get the game almost like watching it. Way cool!
Thanks again, Dorell”
2.26am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 7th
Fowler with another base hit to lead off the seventh! And Miller is still out there! That is un-bleeping-real! Where is Bryan Shaw??
2.23am GMT
@LengelDavid @GdnUSsports This is some Game 7 for the neutral. Nail biting for a long suffering (and very tired) Cubs fan in the UK.
You would think but I’m a neutral and totally stressed out!
2.21am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 6th
Lester falls behind Davis, but is able to coax a routine ground ball to second out of the outfielder. Chicago are nine outs away from a World Series title!
2.19am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 6th
Tremendous stretch by Rizzo helps Russell nail Ramirez after a bouncer to short - two down! And Guyer comes up, pinch hitting for Chisenhall, and delivers!
2.16am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, bottom of the 6th
Lester strikes out Napoli and lord help Cleveland if he finds a rhythm. Now it’s Jose Ramirez batting with one out and nobody on.
2.13am GMT
Wow. Epic comeback after that error. #ballsofsteel #WorldSeries @LengelDavid
Yeah, not a bad encore at all.
2.12am GMT
Cubs 6-3 Indians, top of the 6th
Heyward grounds out, Baez strikes out and another eventful inning is in the books.
2.09am GMT
The retiring Ross, at the center of the action a half-inning ago hits a long drive to center - Davis is back, AT THE WALL AND IT’S GONE!
Chicago get a run back as Grandpa goes deep! And if Maddon isn’t totally out of his mind, he’s not even in the game!
2.06am GMT
Cubs 5-3 Indians, top of the 6th
Well, my heart is racing and I can’t stop it. What to do? Breathe, breathe.
2.05am GMT
@LengelDavid arghh. Why take out Hendricks looked in no trouble. Should have had the out.
The umpire changed that inning, no question.
2.02am GMT
Cubs 5-3 Indians, bottom of the 5th
What started with a two-out walk and a questionable pitching change and a two-run rally, ends with a strikeout by Francisco Lindor, but we have a game again thanks to a half-inning I can only describe as bananas.
2.01am GMT
Lester’s pitch is in the dirt, gets away from Ross and the ball bangs off the back stop - Santana scores and HERE COMES KIPNIS - HE’S SAFE! It’s a two-run wild pitch by Lester, and Cleveland are right back in it!
Ross, who was hit on the chin and shaken up, grimaces, while Maddon swallows hard! Out of nowhere it’s a two-run ballgame. Wow!
1.58am GMT
Cubs 5-1 Indians, bottom of the 5th
Kipnis, a little knubber, nearly half way to third base - Ross pounces on it because there’s no way Lester will even touch it, has to hurry and the ball gets away at first as Rizzo and Kipnis collide! Santana heads to third, Kipnis moves over to second and Cleveland have two on and two out for Lindor!
1.55am GMT
Cubs 5-1 Indians, bottom of the 5th
So here’s Lester, big left handed hurler, on to face the Indians lefty Jason Kipnis in a key at-bat. He’s ahead 1-2...
1.53am GMT
Cubs 5-1 Indians, bottom of the 5th
With one out, Perez is caught looking: Santana should’ve been as well, but home plate umpire Sam Holbrook was watching a different pitch.
1.49am GMT
hey @JoePruski, do you think we might have entered into a new universe? #WorldSeries #cubbies. No TV so following it @LengelDavid
@LengelDavid only Rick Vaughn can save the Indians now
1.47am GMT
Cubs 5-1 Indians, bottom of the 5th
Maddon brings out Hendricks for another inning, which makes a heck of a lot of sense because he’s settled down.
1.44am GMT
Cubs 5-1 Indians, top of the 5th
It’s a bad time for Miller to turn human, isn’t it?
1.43am GMT
Rizzo rakes a hit to right - Bryant is busting it, rounding second, third - HERE COMES BRYANT - and he’s SAFE! Tremendous base running!
1.41am GMT
Cubs 4-1 Indians, top of the 5th
Bryant makes Miller work and is rewarded - the Tribe reliever issues a two out walk.
1.38am GMT
@LengelDavid What to make of Kluber? Was that Cy Young an outlier or is he really one of the very elite? Not on tonight's showing
Tough crowd - three straight games on short rest and dominating for two of them. Here’s his line tonight:
1.36am GMT
Cubs 4-1 Indians, top of the 5th
The call stands and now Kris Bryant comes up with two down and the bases empty - he’s 1-2 and scored a run.
1.35am GMT
Cubs 4-1 Indians, top of the 5th
Not so fast - Schwarber goes down on the 6-4-3 double play...or does he.
1.33am GMT
Cubs 4-1 Indians, top of the 5th
And Fowler rips a base hit to left! Oh boy...is the party on? Too soon?
1.32am GMT
Wonder how Tyler Naquin is feeling now? #MomentumShift @LengelDavid
Probably not so hot.
1.30am GMT
Javier Baez makes up for his two errors by blasting a home run to right center field! Hugs all around in the dugout, and that chases Kluber - who should not have never EVER come out in the fifth. Right?
1.27am GMT
Cubs 3-1 Indians, bottom of the 4th
Now that we’ve toured the world, back to baseball, and an easy inning for Hendricks: Ramirez grounds, Chisenhall pops out, and so does Davis. To the 5th!
1.24am GMT
Expensive ticket...
Wow, 60% of the tickets being sold for Game 7 are Cubs' fans traveling from Illinois, according to StubHub, with a median price of $1,823
1.22am GMT
Meanwhile, the world watches the Series
Was checking online but had to get out of bed to watch this.....Wow. #worldseries #leicester #portugal #bulldogs #mustbecubs @LengelDavid
@LengelDavid thanks for the play by play; total lifesaver as my 9 mo old daughter will only sleep on my shoulder in the dark (no TV)!
8am in Thailand and rooting for the #cubbiesin7 while writing lesson plans! Thanks, @espnaudio and @LengelDavid for making it possible!
@LengelDavid So much drama in #WorldSeries #Game7 already! Following from Brisbane where it is now lunchtime #GoCubsGo
@LengelDavid So much drama in #WorldSeries #Game7 already! Following from Brisbane where it is now lunchtime #GoCubsGo
1.18am GMT
Cubs 3-1 Indians, top of the 4th
Kluber was great, and then he unraveled quickly, way too fast for Cleveland’s bullpen to get up.
1.14am GMT
Contreras, fly ball to center, Davis is running, turns his back and runs some more - that ball is down AND OFF THE WALL! HEre comes Zobrist and the Cubs take a two run lead!
So much for my wanting to keep Kluber in - Andrew Miller warms in the Cleveland bullpen.
1.13am GMT
SAFE! Under the tag! #Game7 pic.twitter.com/ausiWLqXCQ
Shallow fly ball - Davis has it, Bryant tags, there’s a play a the plate - SAFE! Cubs take the lead!
1.11am GMT
Cubs 1-1 Indians, top of the 4th
Kluber is watching Bryant at first and is ahead 0-2 to Rizzo before he’s hit!
1.05am GMT
Cubs 1-1 Indians, top of the 4th
Lots of talk on FOX TV in the US about Kluber coming out soon. But why? He’s had just one blip, is pitching reasonably well, and is at just 40 pitches. Francona should ride that as long as he can.
1.02am GMT
@LengelDavid almost one in the morning, work tomorrow - surviving on coffee!
Unusual hours all around - Hayden Cole is trying to look busy in his office while following along in New Zealand, while Christopher Burnham is slacking in Perth, not to mention Ben Coreless, chugging along as the sun rises in Mauritius.
12.59am GMT
Cubs 1-1 Indians, bottom of the third
Napoli rakes a laser beam, but it’s right at Kris Bryant: Hendricks is out of trouble, but not before Cleveland tie this game!
12.58am GMT
Cubs 1-1 Indians, bottom of the third
Lindor can’t make Hendricks pay for being down in the count and he pops to left field for the second out of the inning . That’s a huge play in this game, and leaves it for the slumping Mike Napoli.
12.55am GMT
So that’s an error on Javier Baez, his second of the evening, and that means the Indians have runners on first and second with the hear of the order coming up with one man down.
12.53am GMT
Kipnis, an all-star, a big left-hand batter, hits a bouncer to the left side - Russell has it at short, tosses to Baez who has it, then drops it! The umpire calls out, but they’ll look at this.
Did Baez drop it in the transfer, meaning Santana would be out, or did he just plain drop it? I think it’s the latter.
12.50am GMT
Santana, a line drive over the extended arm of Anthony Rizzo - that ball is in right field - here comes Crisp and we are tied in Game 7!
12.49am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the third
Yes, it seems the Indians can hit Hendricks - Crisp has a lead off double.
12.45am GMT
@LengelDavid what is Schwarber doing. I run faster than that.
Hey Indians and Cubs, maybe start playing station-to-station here on out? @LengelDavid
12.43am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the third
Baez pops to left, easy for Coco Crisp, then Dexter Fowler lines to right, and Lonnie Chisenhall makes the play.
12.39am GMT
Cubs Starters
FOX TV here in the US shows us pictures of Cubs starters heading out to the bullpen. Among them is Jon Lester, who can’t throw to first, a problem talked about ad nauseam, even though it really hasn’t had much to do with anything lately.
12.38am GMT
Have you seen this?
I hadn’t, until now...
2016 World Series.
Cubs vs Indians
And then the world will end with the score tied in game seven in extra innings #apocalypse
12.36am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the second
Disaster or the Tribe - Davis bounces 5 to 4 to 3 - that’s two outs, one time! A huge double play, and a tough one at that, with the speedy Davis chugging up the first base line. That inning looked like it could have been a whole lot more, but Cleveland come up empty!
12.34am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the second
RAMIREZ IS PICKED OFF! Hendricks catches him leaning and that really costs Cleveland because Chisenhall follows with a base hit to left field! So instead of two on nobody out, it’s one on and one out.
12.32am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the second
Jose Ramirez, who homered in Game 5 hits a rocket up the middle and off Hendricks - Russell tries to make the pick bare handed and can’t come up with it - lead off runner on for the Indians! Here’s Chisenhall up to try and make hay.
12.30am GMT
Email
Ben Corless writes:
12.27am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the second
Nerves of Indians fans settle as Kluber retires his fourth straight Cubs batter- Russell pops up to short for the first out. Now here’s the Willson Contreras.
12.22am GMT
I've died and gone to dreamland, right? @Cubs @LengelDavid @GdnUSsports
Maybe, I can at least confirm this isn’t Iowa.
12.21am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the first
Napoli breaks his bat as the ball bounces to Addison Russell at shortstop - he sidearms the throw to Baez over at second base for the force play and the Indians are retired in the second.
12.19am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the first
Lindor reaches after Javier Baez, throwing from his knees, slips and misfires - that’s an E4 on the second baseman, and a two-out runner for Cleveland and Mike Napoli. Can the Indians capitalize on the extra out?
12.18am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, bottom of the first
Santana is first-pitch swinging and scorches a line drive, but right into the glove of Jason Heyward who holds on for the first out of the inning.
12.15am GMT
Our man at Progressive Field
Reaction to Fowler’s home run has Les walking back his initial estimation of Cubs fans:
12.13am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the first
Zobrist gets under a Kluber slider and skies out to right field end the inning. It’s a rough start for the home team, but they’re only down a run - it could have easily been worse.
12.12am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the first
Someone wake up the Indians - Schwarber takes off and is half way to second base before Kluber even lifts his leg. What in tarnation is happening out there?
12.11am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the first
Kris Bryant socks one all the way to the right field wall but Lonnie Chisenhall is there to make the catch and Tribe fans exhale...and breathe a little easier after Anthony Rizzo is retired on a pop to center field. Two down now for Ben Zobrist.
12.08am GMT
@LengelDavid Okay, one batter into the game and already my prediction is looking pretty good.
Not mine!
12.07am GMT
Cubs 1-0 Indians, top of the first
Schwarber hits a little roller towards the hole between second and first - Lindor, playing in the shift, has it but the throw is not in time! The Cubs have a home run and a base hit before the first out is recorded and there is panic on the streets of Cleveland, early!
12.05am GMT
.@DexterFowler out here making #Game7 history. pic.twitter.com/n7MwVPjxMt
Dexter Fowler hits a deep drive to center field, Rajai Davis at the wall, leaping and he can’t get it - that ball is UP AND OVER THE WALL! The Cubs have the first ever leadoff home run in the history of World Series Game 7 baseball! Chicago strike first!
12.03am GMT
Dexter Fowler takes a strike on the outer half of the plate from Corey Kluber and Game 7 is finally underway!
12.02am GMT
From the Yan Gomes contingent:
@LengelDavid @GdnUSsports As a Brazilian I'm not a baseball fan, but rooting for Chicago today! GO CUBS! #FlyTheW #WorldSeries #Cubs
@LengelDavid Any truth in the rumours that the Indians have Steve Bartman patrolling the outfield bleachers tonight?
12.00am GMT
Email
I believe that Charlie Sheen is in the house, so we already know that blue star loves Anacott Steel...and Germany likes the Cubs, or at least Stephen Parrish does:
11.57pm GMT
Predictions
Well, I predicted the Indians back in July, and then again in October. Why stop now?
My prediction: Game 7 will be a letdown, drama-wise. I'm thinking early blowout. Have no idea who will prevail though. @LengelDavid
11.54pm GMT
Our man at Progressive Field
Here’s Les:
11.52pm GMT
National Anthem
The string section of the Cleveland orchestra are playing the national anthem, and the fans, invited to sing along, are doing just that. They’re putting together a simple and elegant version that, at least for me, is pitch perfect. I give it full points, 10/10, and I’m not sure I’ve ever awarded that score before. A tremendous start to the festivities!
11.48pm GMT
Ratings
You may have heard by now that ratings wise, this World Series has been a monster. Actually, the Mets Giants NL Wildcard game was the most watched in the history of that early-round affair, so to some degree, this has been building. In an era of declining ratings across the board, and during a time where the NFL has ruled the TV ratings universe, and even during a period where the US election has dominated, Major League Baseball is ruling the roost, and that has got to be music to the ears of commissioner Rob Manfred.
11.45pm GMT
Email
Here’s a little numerology from reader Mark Wagner. He writes:
11.41pm GMT
Our man at Progressive Field
Les Carpenter has filed this report as we get set for Game 7:
11.38pm GMT
Tito Francona
He is one of the more successful big game managers in recent history, and tonight, he’ll have the luxury of a reasonably rested big-game bullpen. The airwaves were buzzing all day long about a possible formula for Francona - four innings from starter Corey Kluber, three from Andrew Miller and two from Allen. That’s a best case scenario of course, and is likely if the Indians manage to get on top of Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks.
11.18pm GMT
A big night ahead...
David Lengel here...
10.55pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
1) 1960 World Series | Pittsburgh Pirates 10, New York Yankees 9
10.49pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
2) 1991 World Series | Minnesota Twins 1, Atlanta Braves 0 (10 innings)
10.48pm GMT
This year, by the way, marks the first time the World Series and NBA Finals have gone to Game 7 in the same year since 1962.
10.46pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
3) 2001 World Series | Arizona Diamondbacks 3, New York Yankees 2
10.40pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
4) 1924 World Series | Washington Senators 4, New York Giants 3 (12 innings)
10.19pm GMT
Confirmation of those starting line-ups:
10.18pm GMT
Charlie Sheen starred in Major League, in which he played a Cleveland Indians pitcher. Then Charlie Sheen did various things for a few years and got very rich. And then he did some Bad Things. But people mostly thought the Bad Things were entertaining or made them feel better as they hadn’t done those Bad Things. And then the Indians reached the World Series and he wanted to throw out the first pitch because he had been in Major League. But the Indians said no because they were going to let an actual real player do it. But then they felt bad and let him come to the game tonight. Hooray!
FEAR NOT,
"BELIEVE"LAND!!
My bag is packed,
and help is on the way!!
©99
#GetMeVaughn pic.twitter.com/5jVTE1zKbX
10.06pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
5) 1997 World Series | Florida Marlins 3, Cleveland Indians 2 (11 innings)
9.54pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable moments. As we count down the hours before tonight’s first pitch, we’re looking back at the 10 most memorable Game 7s in the annals of the Fall Classic.
6) 1912 World Series | Boston Red Sox 3, New York Giants 2 (10 innings)
Fenway Park's rookie season: Game 2 of the 1912 World Series. pic.twitter.com/0g2JaNEd0E
9.53pm GMT
The last surviving player from the 1945 World Series – the Cubs’ most recent appearance in the Fall Classic – has been talking about his memories. He actually played for the team that beat the Cubs, the Detroit Tigers. But he says he’s pulling for Chicago tonight. Ed Mierkowicz is 92 now, and was a 21-year-old rookie when the game took place. What does he remember? Mainly being nervous: “If I took my pants off, my knees would be shaking,” he told AP. “I just went along with the flow.”
“It was exciting,” he added. “In fact, it was so exciting, I don’t know what the hell was going on — all the people going crazy.”
9.39pm GMT
And we have the scorecard from the last time the Cubs won the World Series. It would have set you back 10c or $2.67 in today’s money, according to the first website I could find that specializes in that kind of thing. If they’d known how long it would be until the next Cubs win, they could have got at least 11c for it.
9.28pm GMT
Indians manager Terry Francona slept like a baby last night, apart from the bit where he dreamt someone had broken his ribs. And the bit where he finally woke up and found his glasses were smothered in peanut butter.
“I had a nightmare that somebody broke my ribs,” he said before tonight’s games. Until he realized he had fallen asleep with the TV remote wedged under him. “I had peanut butter on my glasses,” he added. “It was a bad night, man.”
9.26pm GMT
Tonight marks the 38th Game 7 in World Series history. They haven’t all been classics, but many of these winner-take-all affairs have served as platforms for baseball’s most unforgettable m