Smile (Kris Bryant)

Chapter Fifty Two| 108 Years In The Making

Kris

There's usually one moment in a lot of people's lives that stick out more than others. Maybe it's the birth of their first born child. Maybe it's their wedding day. For some it's when they graduate college or get their first real job.

But for millions of people, not just in Chicago, the 2016 World Series would be a moment in not just their history that will forever hold a place in their heart, but for many different history lessons. Over a century and a half of championship drought meets in Columbus Ohio for a winner takes all game seven of the World Series. The whole entire world is watching as the most historic sports event in recent memory unfolds in one place on one night. It'll be the most important game for years to come for all of sports. The depth of this game, it's unthinkable. It's all anyone has been talking about.

How the Chicago Cubs have faced all odds and rose from the ashes of defeat. How if we win it will be the most Cubs way to win it all. But we don't want to listen to all of the crap going into the game. No goats or Steve bartman. Just influencers like Sosa and Sandburg and Mr. Cub and everyone else who has played here but never got a ring. For the guys who had come close but never tasted victory. This game is go you. For the fans.

For Cubs fans this is a defying moment. People have lived and died waiting for this moment. Too many people didn't get to see the cubbies take it all. 108 years is a long time and for some fans, they never got to see this game. We've gotten closer but you don't get closer to a title than game seven of the World Series.

One crack of the bat, it can mean a lot of things. It can be a lead off home run in game seven of the World Series from Dexter Fowler himself. It could be the sound of the oldest player hitting a home run in any game seven of a World Series from the grandpa of the team. It could be the sound of Rajai Davis tying the game in the bottom of the eighth off of our closer. That same crack can be the sound of Cubs fans hearts breaking when the thoughts "not again" come racing through your mind. Or the crack can be a clap of thunder indicating that rain is coming and before this game goes into extras, and not it is going into a rain delay.

We all silently walk into the workout room and try to take in what just happened. Some guys hit the bike and others just stare around the room. Alex pulls Jason aside and whispers something in his ear. He nods before turning around and looking at everyone.

"All guys, right here. Front and center. We're having a players meeting" he announces. Alex kisses my cheek before waking out with the coaches and trainers and they close the door behind them.

"Listen closely. Looking around I see a lot of sad faces and I don't want to see this. Guys, this is game seven of the World Series. The way I see it is that the score is 0-0. It's anybody's game. They might have the momentum but we have the power. We have the talent. And we have every reason in the world to win this game. I don't want wait another hour before we have that trophy in our hands let alone another hundred and some years. It's our time, right here. Right now. Kyle, you're up to bat first when we get out there. You have been the joker in this series and we have nothing but the upmost confidence in you. Get on base and we're gonna get you home.

I don't want to see a single tear shed right now. Win or lose you can shed them after the game. But not until the last out. Not until you know you have given this team everything in your power. If it's not enough so be it. But there's nothing you can tell me that will convince me that this group of guys is the one that's going to get it done.

Chapman man, I'm so happy to have you a part of this team. I'm not even sure if you understand what I'm saying but just listen. I know you feel shitty for letting that one pitch get away but we wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you. Thank you for what you've done for us, if we win it's going to be in big part that is to you. Know that.

As for everyone else. It's go time. We gotta get out there and get some runs. Because it's time for some new history. One that is 108 years in the making" he finishes. I actually had chills from his speech.

But whatever he said worked. After a 17 minute rain delay the game started again and before people even got back to their seats we were rolling. Kyle hits a hard single and just as Jason said we were in business. Almora goes in to pinch run because Kyle's knee was still fucked up and now we just needed to get him home.

I go up and hit a long sac fly moving Almora to second. I head back to the dugout and sit next to Alex.

"What did you tell Jason in the locker room" I ask. She looks over at Jason who was hanging over the fence with David talking away.

"I told him that his team needed him. Although his hitting hasn't been all that great he is a core piece of this team. I told him that some of his teammates are starting to fall apart and that they needed him. I could see in Chapman eyes. The tears he was fighting back. I saw it in Addi's eyes, the pain of feeling like your best isn't good enough. They felt that if you guys were to lose tonight it would be because of them. Then I remembered a certain guy I trained who loves this team more than anything. Who wanted nothing more than to win with you guys. So I reminded Jason that these are his guys and they need him. He took care of the rest" she shrugs.

"Well I think your plan is working" I say as Anthony draws a walk.

We had two on and one out as Ben walks up. He was fighting in his at bat until finally he rips a double down the line. Almora races home and Anthony ends up at third and Ben at second. I jump up and celebrate with the team as we take the lead again and hopefully for good now.

Miggy brings home Anthony and that was all the runs we scored in the top of the tenth. In the bottom of the inning carl gets us two important outs but a run gets in. Mike comes in for the last out and we were going to get it if it's the last thing I do.

It was almost in slow motion. A weak hit comes straight for me and this was the moment. The one that would define history. I field the ball and try my best to get it to Anthony. My foot slowly sliding on the wet grass as the baseball goes sailing. Next thing I knew the ball was in his glove and we did it. We finally did it.

Our team heads to the mound as we celebrate. Anthony jumps in my arms as we embrace each other. No one really saying anything, just yelling. I hug as many people as possible was we just enjoy one another.

After celebrating for what feels like forever the media is let down and I try to give them what was on my mind. But it was kind of blank. It had been an emotional few hours that I couldn't comprehend it. Like did this really just happen?

After a hour of getting shirts and hats and taking pictures and talking to media our family is allowed onto the field. Alex and Ben come out to the field and I engulf them in a hug.

"I knew you could do it" she claims and I laugh.

"Yeah yeah I know" I assure her. She gives me a deep kiss and I smile big. I take Ben as she looks around. Just six months old and already a big part of history. I put my cap on him and he takes it off before putting it in his mouth. Of course.

I talk to my parents before heading to the locker room. They announce Ben as MVP as I hold my Ben close. They all party and spray champagne before I slip out. I find Alex talking to the other wives outside the locker room and grab her hand.

"What are you doing out here" she asks taking Ben back.

"I missed you" I blush.

"Go be with your guys. We can celebrate later" she whispers in my ear and I smirk.

"Can't wait."