Ten years on, Cubs players say 2016 title changed their lives
Veterans from the 2016 championship reunited this month, discussing how the end of a 108-year drought reshaped their careers while the current team faces pitching challenges.
By Noor Graham ·
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in extra innings on Nov. 2, 2016, to break a 108-year championship drought.
A decade later, the psychological and professional effects of that victory remain evident among the players who were part of it. The team gathered in mid-July for a 10-year reunion and the unveiling of a new champions gate at Wrigley Field. The archway features plaques for the 1907, 1908, and 2016 teams, with space reserved for future champions. More than 20 former players and coaches attended the festivities, which included a private gathering of nearly the entire title roster.
Jon Lester noted that the event marked the first time in ten years that many of the players' children had seen one another. He described the group as picking up where they left off, walking around the park and acting like a family again. Lester said the weight of the 108-year wait was always in the back of their minds, but the team embraced the opportunity to end it. He admitted that he is not sure if the victory has fully sunk in yet.
Theo Epstein, the president of baseball operations who built the roster, used the reunion to reflect on the difficulty of winning. He acknowledged that he made plenty of errors in judgment during his tenure. Epstein stated that he would not have left the organization voluntarily after the 2020 season if the Cubs had not won in 2016. He described the team as fearless, noting that the players did not walk around burdened by the history of the drought. Instead, they viewed the situation as a unique opportunity to perform for one another. Epstein said that feeling of liberation came only after the trophy was secured, allowing him to choose his path forward without the pressure of an unfinished job.
The title had a direct impact on the careers of several players. David Ross credited the championship with opening doors to television work and a managerial position. He became an ESPN analyst and later served as the Cubs manager for four seasons starting in 2020. Ross now co-hosts a weekly baseball podcast with Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo said that winning in Chicago elevated their careers and brotherhood tremendously. He emphasized that while the city loves its players regardless of results, winning the World Series is the most significant achievement in the sport.
Ben Zobrist, the World Series MVP in 2016, pointed to team chemistry as the foundation of their success. He observed that the league expected them to win, and the team felt prepared to handle that pressure. The starting rotation was a key component of that preparation. Five starters combined to throw 64.8% of the team's total innings. Jon Lester posted a 2.44 ERA, Kyle Hendricks had a 2.13 ERA, and Jake Arrieta recorded a 3.10 ERA. Arrieta described the group as a collective effort where no single player claimed individual credit. He called the team a perfect cocktail of the right ingredients.
The 2016 Cubs and the 2016 Toronto Blue Jays are the last teams to have five pitchers each make at least 29 starts in a regular season. That depth in pitching helped them overcome adversity during the postseason. The current Cubs organization, led by general manager Jed Hoyer, has built the best defense and offense in the majors. However, the team has won only one postseason series since 2017, which came in last year's wild-card round. The Milwaukee Brewers have dominated the division, and the Cubs' pitching shortcomings this year have created questions about their development infrastructure.
Epstein acknowledged that Hoyer and his group are on their own journey and have brought in a ton of talent. He expressed confidence that the franchise will add more championships to its history.
