US: Cubs win baseball crown for first time in 108 years

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

The Chicago Cubs late Wednesday won their first World Series baseball championship in 108 years in a historic overtime Game 7 victory against the Cleveland Indians.

In the best-of-seven-games World Series in Major League Baseball (MLB), the Cubs came back from Saturday’s 3-1 deficit to take on the Indians in Cleveland for the final game on Wednesday.

The Indians, also seeking their first MLB championship since 1948, were bested by the Cubs 8-7 in a four-and-a-half-hour game, including a 17-minute rain delay.

"That's one of the best games that was ever played," Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said. "It's the best thing I ever heard," he said about ending the 108-year drought.

"It happened, Chicago," said Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. "I can't believe it. We’re in the [history] books ... We’re world champions for the rest of our lives."

Cubs pitcher Jon Lester, who won MLB championships with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and 2013, said, "It's surreal ... We got it done."

David Ross, 39, the Cubs’ catcher and the oldest player to ever hit a home run in Game 7 of the World Series, said, "These guys never quit. I'm so proud of this group. The city of Chicago deserves this," before being lifted on his teammates’ shoulders.

Cubs Baseball Operations head Theo Epstein, who won a championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, their first in 86 years, called Game 7 "one of the best games of all time," adding, "It's been a century in the making. Unbelievable."

Joe Maddon, the Cubs' 53rd manager since 1908, said his players never quit. "I believe we will carry that for many years to come," he added.

The trophy for Most Valuable Player of the World Series went to the Cubs’ Ben Zobrist.

Cleveland Indians Manager Terry Francona, who won MLB championships with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, said he asked his players to give their everything on the field, "and they gave everything. With this group and these people, it was an honor. I still want our guys to carry their heads high because they deserved it."