CHICAGO -- They saved their best for last, and in playing their most complete game of the postseason, the Chicago Cubs exorcised their demons by making the World Series for the first time in 71 years. The 5-0 win in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and the subsequent celebration -- was one for the ages.
"Clayton Kershaw is good, but we knew we could beat him," reliever Pedro Strop said on the infield after the game while hugging his teammates. "We hit him good."
Beat him they did. After consecutive shutout losses in Games 2 and 3, the Cubs' offense came alive, culminating Saturday when they chased the best pitcher on the planet out of the game after just five innings. The Cubs came out swinging but only because they never wavered during their darkest hours of the series.
"Nobody doubted anything," hitting coach John Mallee said standing near the batter's box while celebrating. "When Addy (Addison Russell) homered in Game 4, you think to yourself, 'Here it is. This is the turning point.' Now we roll."
From the fourth inning of Game 4 until the final out of the NLCS, the Cubs scored 23 runs. It was with an undying belief they would turn things around and serve a starving fan base a World Series appearance. They delivered what they promised themselves -- and their fans -- in March.
"The fans deserve this as much as we do," Strop said. "Coming over (from Baltimore) all I knew is the fans sell out even when we lose. Now we won for them."
A double play ended the Dodgers season and set off a wild party inside and outside the Cubs clubhouse -- which might last until the next round begins. It was that wild, but it never happens without the vision. Saturday night was the result of a plan the Cubs hatched five years ago, and it followed a script Hollywood may have rejected as too cliché: A team -- and ballpark -- remade from the ground up.
On the field and in the clubhouse after the memorable win, the front office basked in the accomplishment. They did it together, on their terms, with no concern for the criticism they received for losing during those rebuilding days. They stuck to their convictions that this was the right way to stay competitive for a long time. And they are reaping the results. The Cubs are in the World Series.
"We got some breaks along the way that helped us out," general manager Jed Hoyer said as champagne was poured on his head. "It gives you chills. Seventy-one years is a long time."
The breaks Hoyer refers to mostly revolve around his young players. No matter how talented they were, if they weren't able to process the big moments, the Cubs wouldn't be here this quickly.
"The young kids have come up on the big stage, and they're not scared," Hoyer stated. "That's something you can't predict when you rebuild."
Perhaps the person who can put it in perspective the best -- other than a long suffering fan -- is the longest-tenured Cub, lefty reliever Travis Wood. He was here during some of the darkest days from 2012 to 2014 when the team lost a total of 286 games.
"To be here now after where we started is unbelievable," Wood said shaking his head. "I can't believe I'm in the World Series, but I'm glad I am. Our young guys came through."
Perhaps the clinching night can be summed up most by the work of two people: a young, brash infielder who won co-MVP honors and a mild-mannered pitcher who proved yet again he was every bit as good as any pitcher in 2016. Kyle Hendricks and Javier Baez represent everything exciting about the Cubs. Baez proved the adage you can't judge a book by its cover, because if that was the case, all anyone would have seen is a swing-and-miss guy. He's far from that player now.
"He's the most natural baseball player I've ever seen play the game," Hendricks said of his teammate. "His instincts in-game are just top notch."
Hendricks' instincts aren't bad either as his ability to break down the Dodger hitters was masterful. He performed surgery on them, dissecting every weakness and turning them into weak ground balls or strikeouts. Was there any doubt Hendricks would come up big? He's done it all season with the demeanor of the guy next door who's cutting his lawn. There's no flair to Hendricks' game, like there is with Baez, but that's not what he thrives on. He relies on keeping even-keeled. The two players couldn't be more different but are equally fun to watch.
"He deserved the Cy Young award," teammate Jon Lester said of Hendricks.
As the champagne flowed in the locker room, the leader of the group was right in the middle of it all. Joe Maddon's methods were once again proven to work, as his laid-back style could not have fit better on a young team. If you want to know why players like Baez and Willson Contreras can succeed so quickly, its because Maddon allows them to be themselves. Don't underestimate the comfort that brings a player. As for making it to the World Series in his second year with the team, even the manager was surprised.
"It's unusual when theory and reality come together," he said of the Cubs' plan. "It takes you a while to absorb it all."
Absorb it they did -- along with a lot of liquor. The celebration rivaled that of the wild-card victory last year in Pittsburgh. A lot of emotion has been put into the franchise, and it all came out at once, both in the stands and inside the Cubs' clubhouse.
"Its special because of all the ingredients involved," team president Theo Epstein said. "From the scouts, to our developmental people, to the players and coaches. This accomplishment is for everyone."
It truly is for everyone, because over 71 years there have been so many players who have come and gone wanting what the Cubs now have. So many fans who dedicated their lives to this franchise, waiting, hoping for this moment to arrive. As players continued to hug teammates and their families long after the final out was made, some finally understood the enormity of it all.
"I know these people have been waiting a long time," Russell said looking around the stands. "I know we're young, but we never give up. There's always someone there to pick you up if you need it. That's the Cubs way, and now I can't wait for the World Series. It's going to be great."