This year’s World Series was one of the more exciting ones in recent memory. Baseball fans, analysts, and even players were raving about this year’s October classic. Retired New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez called the series both “amazing” and “historic.”

Being down three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Cleveland Indians seemed to be losing hope. Down to their last out of the inning, things looked even bleaker for Cleveland when Cubs manager Joe Maddon decided to bring on his ace closer, Aroldis Chapman. However, a two-out double by Brandon Guyer scored Jose Ramirez to cut the Cubs’ lead to two runs.

The next batter, Rajai Davis, fouled off three balls before finally cracking the seventh pitch of his at-bat 364 feet into the stands for a home run to tie the game. Videos have sprung up of the crowd roaring after Davis’ homer, and there is even footage of LeBron James getting into the moment.

The Cubs were able to settle down and stop the bleeding, but the momentum clearly favored the Indians in a critical ninth inning. Chicago was able to get a man on first with a lead-off walk, but they could not score him. Cleveland went down in order, and the game moved into extra innings.

In the 10th inning, Chicago took the lead for good. After a single by Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs moved his pinch runner Albert Almora to second on a sacrifice fly by Kris Bryant. Ben Zobrist was able to put the Cubs up 7-6 with an RBI double. The Cubs put another run on the board when Miguel Montero singled to left field, scoring Anthony Rizzo.

The Indians would put up a run in the bottom of the inning, but ultimately Montero’s run would prove to be the final nail in the Indians’ coffin.

Despite an exciting and intense seven games, Cleveland comes home empty-handed after winning three of the first four games of the series. However, team manager Terry Francona didn’t seem to be disappointed in his players.

In his post-game interview, Francona said “You know, we ask our players to play the game with respect and to leave it on the field. That was it, they gave everything they had.”

The Indians have picked up Francona’s contract through 2020, so he will have more chances to bring the World Series to Cleveland.

The Cubs, however, are on the other side of history. Their 108-year drought over, they will look to repeat in the 2017 season. With a core of young, talented players and some large amounts of cash, the Cubs may be positioned to win multiple championships in the coming years.

With the 2016 season finally behind the Cubs and Indians, both teams are still at the top of their game, and looking to make another appearance on the same stage in 2017.

Contact the writer: [email protected]