Emma: These Remarkable Cubs Were Worth The Wait
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Damned be the curse, the billy goat and the ghosts of the past -- this team seems destined to change everything. The Chicago Cubs are going to the World Series for the first time since 1945.
The dream fabled Wrigley Field has cradled through its century of history may finally come true. When the 6-4-3 double play finished the Cubs' 5-0 shutout of the Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday night, the Friendly Confines erupted like never before.
Then, a party Chicago has planned forever finally began.
"Everyone is here for this reason," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said in the eye of the champagne hurricane. "That's what makes it so special."
What makes this Cubs team so unique is the manner in which it dismisses those silly narratives of the past. The 71-year wait for the World Series simply didn't matter. These Cubs don't care about that -- not one damn bit.
Ever since manager Joe Maddon arrived in Chicago, he's preached that pressure is a beautiful thing. Expectations mean something good. The Cubs have embraced the target and celebrated each victory.
As the World Series with the Cleveland Indians awaits, the Cubs will handle this as they have every other day. After all, this wasn't Game 6 in Maddon's mind. It was only Saturday.
The World Series will only be another series for the Cubs -- nothing different. Maddon won't pull any Knute Rockne speeches.
"I'm not saying anything," Maddon said. "I promise you, there's no meeting. The only meetings will be hitting, pitching, defense."
History for the Cubs is just that. It proved to be true Saturday night.
Facing the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, the Cubs teed off. Dexter Fowler doubled to lead off the game, then Kris Bryant knocked him in. They tallied five runs on Kershaw's watch that spanned five innings, but one was all they would need.
All Kershaw could do after the game was tip his hat to "the better team," the NL champions.
The Cubs were five outs away from the World Series -- a figure that brings back nightmares from 2003 -- when Josh Reddick singled with one out in the seventh inning off Kyle Hendricks, who was magnificent in his winning start. Wrigley collectively hushed as the hit went through. Maddon came out and collected Hendricks, bringing in flame-throwing Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman hit 100 mph on the radar gun and induced the inning-ending double play. Five outs turned into three.
With one out in the ninth inning, Carlos Ruiz popped a foul ball in that familiar spot down the left-field line. A gasp went through the ballpark. The next batter up was Yasiel Puig, and Chapman hit 101 to force the game-ending double play.
Anthony Rizzo jumped into Bryant's arms, Addison Russell did the same with Javier Baez and Willson Contreras rushed the mound to celebrate with Chapman. Epstein and his baseball brass began the rounds of hugs. Fans jumped into the aisles with every emotion seeping through.
These Cubs have united generations with their greatness. They've chased a championship with such remarkable poise, like no Cubs team before.
No longer do fans need to fear what happened in 1969, 1984, 1989 or 2003, because this team is different. It seems to be a champion in the making. Cubs legend Billy Williams was emotional as he joined the celebration down on Wrigley's champagne-soaked field. He was thinking of Ron Santo up above.
Like so many who lived for the Cubs, Santo deserves a team like this.
"He's having a glass of wine," Williams said with a smile.
Cheers indeed to these Cubs, who are greater than their past. They don't care about 1908 or what came long before this night of celebration.
Damned be the ghosts of the past, who have fled from a franchise that's been ready for a celebration like this. The Cubs are going to the World Series and are four wins away from the party of a lifetime.
This might just be the year.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
