Chicago Cubs End Century-Long World Series Title Drought

By Christian Pilares
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs celebrate winning the team's first World Series in 108 years during a victory parade in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Frank Polich

The Chicago Cubs finally won a World Series. The team just ended what is probably the most storied and the most famous title or championship drop in professional sports in the whole world. The last time the franchise won the title was in 1908. To give you an idea on how long that has been, the automobile was still a new thing back then, World War One still hasn't happened, and the airplane was just a few years old.

Historic Win

The Cubs had an 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7. The game started Wednesday night and lasted early Thursday morning. There was a delay to it but the action was very exciting and had fans on the edge of their seats. The Indians were able to rally with three runs in the eighth inning, but the Cubs were able to fight them back in order to gain victory.

Title Drought Ended

The title drought of the Cubs could be compared with that of the Boston Red Sox. The Sox were unable to win a title for 86 years. That title drought was quite famous too, but the Cubs was the longest suffering franchise in professional sports by far.

It's inevitable that there are some legends created as to why the team has been unable to win a title through the years. One of the most famous stories about it is the Curse of the Billy Goat. During the fourth game of the 1945 World Series, William Sianis, who was the owner of the   Billy Goat Tavern, was asked to leave Wrigley Field where the game was being played. Other fans complained about the bad smell of his pet goat named Murphy.

Sianis was outraged by the ejection and he allegedly declared that the Cubs would not win anymore. True enough, the Cubs lost the World Series that year and it was only this year that they were able to win the title again.

Since the curse happened in 1945, it lasted for only 71 years. The team was already suffering from a title drought even before Sianis cursed them.

Clear Favorite

The Cubs were the clear favorite to win the title this year even before the season started. They had the best record for a team since 2004 during the regular season. They never had to face an elimination game during the playoffs. They faced the Indians for the World Series title, a team which is also suffering from a title drought that has lasted for 68 years.

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