When my father loaded his four children for a regular 80-mile trip to Wrigley Field, I never believed we’d ever see the Cubs win the World Series.
That’s the mindset Cubs fans grew up with.
What I didn’t realize at the time was my dad actually carried hope deep in his heart.
My father, a man who chose his words carefully, would regularly say, “wait until next year.”
When the Cubs survived Game 7 to outlast the Cleveland Indians 8-7, all the dreams of Cubs’ fans were rewarded.
You’ll always treasure those special moments in life —
• When you’re married.
• When your children and grandchildren are born.
• When your favorite team wins a championship.
It was one of the most memorable World Series Game 7s ever. The Cubs broke a 108-year streak without winning a World Series. The Indians have not won a World Series since 1948.
I thought of several die-hard Cubs who didn’t live to see this miracle — my father, my twin brother, my aunt Kay and a good friend, Marge Masterson.
My father taught us that loving and playing sports was a great hobby. We’ve never lost that love and I have passed it on to my three sons.
If my brother was still living, the debate about the strategy of Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon in Game 7 would still be ongoing.
Aunt Kay had a tough life, but she loved her Cubs. Her father died when she was 2 months old. Polio struck her at the age of 21 when she was pregnant. That illness stole her gift of dancing and she never walked again. But she loved her Cubs.
Marge Masterson taught one of my sons all about baseball when they watched the Cubs during the summertime enjoying Cheez-Its and Dr. Pepper. Marge loved announcer Harry Caray.
GAME 7 — Joe Maddon’s silly strategy in Game 7 for the Cubs is a classic case of overmanaging. Maddon tells his players to keep things simple and perform like you have all season.
However, Maddon breaks his own rule and makes every decision different than he’s managed every game all season.
Maddon’s first sign of overmanaging was using closer Aroldis Chapman with a 7-2 lead in Game 6. The Cubs won 9-3.
Game 7 starts with Maddon’s silly choice of taking the best starting pitcher in the National League, Kyle Hendricks, out of the game.
Hendricks was pitching a gem when home plate umpire Sam Holbrook missed a called third strike that should’ve ended the fifth inning.
When Hendricks got hooked, the Indians celebrated and every Cubs’ fan asked, “What are we doing?”
Maddon removed the pitcher with the best ERA in the National League for a starter Jon Lester who last pitched out of the bullpen nine years ago.
The result was predictable. A two-run wild pitch later, the Indians crept within 5-3.
Maddon’s worst decision was asking Javier Baez to squeeze home a run with two strikes. The result was predictable — a foul ball and a strikeout.
When Maddon went to Chapman, the result was again predictable. Throwing on back-to-back days, Chapman’s 100 mph pitches were flat and hittable. A few batters later, a two-run home run by Rajai Davis made it 6-6.
Then a miracle happened.
Rain started pelting Progressive Field.
It was indeed divine intervention.
God decided we’d all have to wait a little while to find out how this story would end.
During the delay, Jason Heyward delivered an inspirational speech that reminded the Cubs they were the best “team” in baseball.
A few minutes later, 108 years of baseball history was rewritten.
Maddon made his smartest decision when Albert Almaro pinch ran for miracle man Kyle Schwarber. Almaro promptly delivered the game’s key play when he advanced to second base on a fly ball.
That move set up an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo and the go-ahead base hit by Most Valuable Player Ben Zobrist. Zobrist also delivered the biggest hit when the Cubs rallied past the San Francisco Giants. He started a game-winning rally with a bunt against the Dodgers.
Everyone has learned a valuable lesson.
Dream big and work together.
If the Cubs can win the World Series — anything is possible!

Jim Misunas is the Sports Editor of the Great Bend Tribune. He can be reached at jmisunas@gbtribune.com.