World Series 2016 Game 5: Indians @ Cubs

Sigh. I have to admit it hurts.

In 1969 I was the beneficiary of probably the greatest choke in Baseball history when my Metropolitans soared from a 9 1/2 game deficit on August 19th to an 8 game Division lead. To be fair we went 23 – 7 while the Cubs tanked 7 – 18 (the Cardinals were a game ahead of us and we beat them too). The reason they call it a “miracle” is that we were a new team (7 years) and were already famously hapless (“Can anyone here play this game?”).

However, as a Metropolitans fan you learn early that most years your team are lovable losers (unless they’re the Cardinals) and so you savor the summers they don’t actively suck. Frankly it’s gotten so I no longer slavishly sit season after season, rooting on each pitch. I wait until the day after and if it’s a win I’ll watch Fast Forward where they skip the Innings nothing happens (it’s not like you miss any of the ‘witty’ banter from the announcers unfortunately).

It is reliably reported that the most common exchange between true Cubs stalwarts is “You know, they’ll break your heart,” and it’s offered with a good deal more sympathy and sincerity than you ever heard from Red Sox fans who are consumed with so much Yankee hatred they’re hard to be around (Yankees fans hate the Metropolitans with the same fervor and treat the Sox with silent disdain).

It would have been nice to see them end a 108 year drought and now that they’re safely in the Central Division I personally don’t hate them any more than I do most average Senior League teams. It was with regret I put away my Metropolitans Cap this season, but also with understanding that it was a wacky fluke of luck that they even made the Playoffs given the number of injuries to key players.

Wait until next year.

There is a tad more emotion involved in parting with the Cubs who by every measure except World Series performance are the best team in Baseball this year. Wait until next year rings kind of hollow because this is a club built for today, not an institutional juggernaught.

Oh well. I’ve waited for the Cubs almost my entire life (they did win in 1908 when I was in my teens) and this is merely incentive to live a little longer. It would be nice if they’d extend the season a bit but I don’t expect it.

177 comments

Skip to comment form

  1. Vent Hole

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:03

    Ti’s a brisk 51³ F in Chicago tonigh with a breeze from the NE at 2 mph gusting to 6. No chance of rain

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 20:05

    Let’s go Cubs!

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:06

    Nothing like an off key National Anthemn to start off the game

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:09

    Top of the 1st: Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

  2. First Pitch Strike

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:19

    Rajai Davis struck out

  3. K. Good Omen.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:21

    Jason Kipnis struck out. 2 outs

  4. Another K. 2 Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:22

    Francisco Lindor struck ou to retire the side.

    No score

  5. K. Bottom 1st

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:25

    Bottom of the 1st: Trevor Bauer pitching for Cleveland

  6. First Pitch Ball

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:27

    Dexter Fowler struck out

  7. KO. 1 Gone

  8. KO. 2 Gone

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:29

    Kris Bryant struck out

  9. Top 2nd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:31

    Anthony Rizzo flies out to left field to end the inning

    No score

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:31

    Top of the 2nd: Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:34

    Mike Napoli pop out to 2nd baseman

  10. Pop Out 1

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:35

    Carlos Santana out on a foul ball. 2 outs

  11. 2 Man Foul Out. 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:36

    Jose Ramirez solo home run

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

  12. Solo Shot. Indians 1 – 0. Shit.

  13. Bottom 2nd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:39

    Brandon Guyer grounded out to retire the side

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:40

    Bottom of the 2nd:Trevor Bauer pitchng for Cleveland

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:42

    Ben Zobrist flies out to right

  14. Pop. 1

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:44

    Addison Russel singles on a ground ball

  15. Hey a Single!

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:46

    Jason Heyward struck out. 2 outs

  16. Looking. 2

  17. Top 3rd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:49

    Javier Baez struck out to end the 2nd inning

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:50

    Top of the 3rd: Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:53

    Roberto Perez pops out

  18. Foul Pop. 1

  19. Acrobatic Foul Out. 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:57

    Trevor Bauer fouled fly to right. 2 outs

  20. Bottom 3rd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 20:59

    Davis lined out to retire the side

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

  21. Out at 1st

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:03

    Bottom of the 3rd: Trevor Bauer pitching for Cleveland

  22. KO for 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:04

    David Ross grounds out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:05

    Jon Lester struck out. 2 out

  23. Top 4th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:06

    Fowler flies out to right to end the 3rd inning.

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:07

    Top of the 4th inning: Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

  24. Bunt Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:10

    Kipnis grounded out on a bunt

  25. Fly Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:11

    Lindor flies out to left field

  26. Bottom 4th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:13

    Napoli ouit on a pop foul to retire the side.

    Cleveland 1 – Cubs 0

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:14

    Bottom of the 4th: Trevor Bauer pitching for Cleveland

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:17

    Bryant lead off home run to tie the game

  27. Hey! Leadoff Solo. Tied at 1!

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:18

    Rizzo doubles.

  28. A rally! Double!

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:21

    Zobrist singles; Rizzo to 3rd. No Outs

  29. Single. Corners.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:25

    Russell RBi single. No Outs Zobrist to 2nd; Rizzo scored

  30. RBI Single.1st and 2nd. No Outs.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:25

    Cubs 2 – Cleveland 1

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:27

    Heywward struck out

  31. KO

  32. Bunt Single. Loaded.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:29

    Baez singles. Bases loaded. 1 out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:34

    Ross sac fly. Zobrist scores 2 out

  33. RBI Sacrifice. Cubs 3 – 1. Runners on 1st and 2nd.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:35

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 1

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 21:35

    This is more like it.

  34. KO. Top 5th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:37

    Lester struck out to end the inning

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 1

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:38

    Top of the 5th: Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:43

    Santana lead off double

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:44

    Ramirez out at 1st: Santana to 3rd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:49

    Guyer struck out

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 21:50

    Phew!

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:51

    Perez grounded out to retire side.

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 1

  35. Bottom 5th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:54

    Bottom of the 5th: Mike Clevinger now pitching for Cleveland

  36. Fly to Left

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:55

    Fowler flied out to left

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:56

    Bryant walked

  37. A Walk

  38. Line Out. 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 21:58

    Rizzo lined out to center. 2 outs

  39. Steal and an Error. Runner at 3rd

  40. Walk. Corners

  41. Top 6th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:03

    Bryant stole 2nd. On a throwing error advances to 3rd. Zobrist walked

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:04

    Russell lined out to end the 5th inning.

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 1

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:05

    Top of the 6th Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:07

    Coco Crisp, hitting for Clevinger, grounds out

  42. 1 Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:08

    Davis singles on a ground ball to left field

  43. Base Hit

  44. Steal

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:10

    Davis steals 2nd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:12

    Kipnis struck out. 2 outs

  45. And a K. 2 Down

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:15

    Lindor RBI Single

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

  46. RBI Single. Indians 3 – 2. 1 On 2 Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:17

    Lindor out trying to steal 2nd to retire the side

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

  47. Pitch Out. Bottom 6th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:19

    Bottom of the 6th: Bryan Shaw now pitching for Cleveland

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:21

    Heyward struck out

  48. Leadoff KO

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:23

    Baez grounds out. 2 out

  49. KO. 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:26

    Miguel Montero, hitting for David Ross, struck out to end the 6th inning

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

  50. KO. Top 7th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:28

    Top of the 7th: Carl Edwards pitching for Jon Lester

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:29

    Napoli with a lead off single

  51. Ugh. Leadoff Single

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:33

    Napoli advances on a wild pitch

  52. Passed Ball. Runner at 2nd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:34

    Santana out on a fly ball to left.

  53. Fly. 1 Down

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:35

    Cubs pitching change: Aroldis Chapman in for Edwards

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:38

    Ramirez struck oput

  54. K. 2 Out

  55. HBP. 2 On 2 Out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:42

    Gruyer hit by a pitch

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:45

    Perez ground s out to end retire the side.

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

  56. Bottom 7th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:47

    Bottom of the 7th: Byan Shaw pitching for Cleveland

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 22:48

    Time for some insurance.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:50

    Contreras grounds out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:52

    Cleveland pitching change: Cody Allen in for Bryan Shaw

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:55

    Fowler hit by a pitch

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:56

    Fowler steals 2nd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:57

    Bryant struck out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 22:58

    Rizzo intentional walk

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:02

    Zobrist flied out to left field to end the inning.

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:05

    Top of the 8th: Aroldis Cahpman pitching for the Cubs

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:06

    Yan Gomes struck out

  57. Top 8th

  58. KO. 3 Outs for Chapman

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:08

    Davis singles with a ground ball

  59. 1 On 1 Out

  60. Stolen Base

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:13

    Davis steals 2nd again

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:17

    Kipnis flies out to left field

  61. Foul Out for 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:18

    Davis steals 3rd

  62. Another Steal. Runner on 3rd

  63. Bottom 8th

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 23:20

    Out of another jam

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:20

    Lindor struck out to retire the side.

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:21

    Bottom of the 8th: Cody Allen pitching for Cleveland

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:24

    Russell struck out

  64. KO to start

  65. Single to Center

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:27

    Heyward single with one out

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:28

    Heyward steals 2nd

  66. Steals 2nd

  67. KO.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:34

    Baez struck out. 2 outs

  68. Steals 3rd

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:35

    Heyward steals 3rd

  69. Chapman KO. Needs 3. Top 9th

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:36

    Chapman struck out to end the 8th inning

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 0

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:37

    Top of the 9th: Aroldis Chalma pitching fir the Cubs

  70. 1 Down

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:40

    Napoli ground out.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:43

    Santana flies out to right field. 2 outs

  71. 2 Down

  72. Cubs 3 – 2 Final.

    • TMC on October 30, 2016 at 23:46

    Ramirez struck out to end the game

    Cubs 3 – Cleveland 2

    Cleveland leads the series 3 – 2.

    Cleveland on Tuesday night at 8

    • BobbyK on October 30, 2016 at 23:47

    Well that was exciting

Comments have been disabled.