It was 1945. World War II was just closing up and baseball was a thing many were turning their heads to. Before the Cubs participated in the NLCS, there was no curse or triple digit playoff drought. Heck, it had only been 37 years since the Cubs won the title in 1908. The Cubs met up with the Detroit Tigers to settle who would become champions of the baseball world. In game four of the World Series something that would be a part of Cubs history forever occurred. The owner of the Billy Goat Tavern brought his goat to the game and fans around him complained about the goat’s odor and the goat and its owner, Billy Sianis–along with his goat–were tossed out of the ballpark. Before he left for the gates he yelled out, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more!” The Tigers won the series four games to three.

So it began.

Suffering was the word used after it had been fifty plus years since the Cubs had participated in World Series play. In between the present and 1945 there have been many moments where Cubs fans would claim that this year was their year. The were never right until Saturday night.

2003 may have been  the most promising years for the Cubs. Their roster had all around talent featuring players like Sammy Sosa and Aramis Ramirez. Their pitching was quite talented as well with the likes of Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, and Kerry Wood. By the time 2003 rolled around it had been 58 years since the Cubs had  won the pennant along with 95 years since the Cubs won their last World Series title. The Cubs were leading the series 3-2 over the Florida Marlins. By the 8th inning of game six Cubs fans were getting ready to party and the Cubs’ staff were putting up plastic covers in the locker room so the Cubs could freely shower champagne on each other. Then an event occurred that will, again, forever will be linked to the history of the Cubs. Luis Castillo hit a high foul ball down the left field line. The Cubs left fielder, Moises Alou, reached up into the stands to try and catch the ball, but a fan by the name of Steve Bartman got to the ball before he did. Bartman tipped the ball away, making it uncatchable for Alou to grab. Alou was convinced that he would have been able to make the catch if Bartman didn’t interfere with the play. He immediately began yelling at him, and so did the rest of the Cubs’ fans. Beers, hot dogs, burgers were being thrown at Bartman. So began the madness of game six of the NLCS in 2003. After the infamous Bartman incident took place the Cubs shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, botched a routine double play ball. The Cubs who had a 3-0 lead going into the top of the 8th ended up losing 8-3. All eight runs were produced in the 8th. The Cubs lost game seven of the series and would have to wait 12 more years until they had another shot at winning the NLCS.

In 2007-2008 the Cubs had a powerful lineup and pitching rotation. They proved that by winning their division two straight years in a row. Once the playoffs came around the Cubs could not live up to their hype.

From 2009-2014 the Cubs didn’t look like a quality baseball team. They were tough to watch. The Cubs had many promising signings and fans were hoping these young players would turn around the organization. Players like Junior Lake stood out to Cubs’ nation, but later proved to be just another bust.

In 2015 the Cubs fan base got their hopes up again. They had made some big signings, like getting Jon Lester from Oakland and getting Joe Maddon to manage. The start to the 2015 season was slow, but after the All Star break the Cubs became one of the hottest teams in baseball. Last year, the Cubs had made it all the way to the NLCS, but got swept by the New York Mets. Almost immediately people began to hope that after 2016 there would be no more next year.

In 2016 in all categories would prove to be very promising. The pitching was phenomenal and, of course, the hitting was better than any Cubs team has had before. They were strong throughout the year and became the first team to clinch a playoff berth as well as hold the best record in Major League Baseball. This year would be different than the past. The Cubs were able to make it to game six of the NLCS with a 3-2 lead. They were one game from clinching a spot in the World Series. This time there wouldn’t be a Bartman or a Gonzalez or a Billy Goat.

Game six featured one of the best pitching matchups that you could find. Clayton Kershaw was dominant in game two of the NLCS, going seven innings with a shutout. With Kershaw on the bump the Dodgers had no plans on going home. On the other side for the Cubs was Kyle Hendricks, coming off the best year that he has had as a player, but he knew he would have to be absolutely dominant if he wanted to give the Cubs a chance at beating the Dodgers ace.

Almost shockingly, the Cubs began scoring right away off of Kershaw. Dexter Fowler hit a ground rule double to start off the Cubs offense. After the leadoff double, Kris Bryant singled to score Fowler from second. Just like that, with no outs the Cubs had an early lead. The runs in the first didn’t stop. Anthony Rizzo sent a deep ball out to left center field where Andrew Toles was running to catch it. Toles, who was only using one hand could not squeeze the baseball. The ball dropped and Bryant advanced to third and Rizzo advanced to second safely. Later in the inning, Ben Zobrist hit a sac fly to give the Cubs a decisive lead over Kershaw early.

In the second inning the Cubs still weren’t done with the Dodgers. Dexter Fowler singled again, which scored Addison Russell who had previously hit a double. The Cubs were winning 3-0 early and they wouldn’t ever look back.

In the fourth, Willson Contreras led off the inning with a solo bomb to left field. The ball had the exit velocity of 107 MPH. and gave the Cubs a 4-0 lead.

In the fifth, Anthony Rizzo concluded the Cubs scoring for the night when he lifted a solo home run to center field. When Rizzo crossed the plate it gave the Cubs all the confidence that they would need to close out the Dodgers.

In the 8th inning Kyle Hendricks was pulled from the game. He pitched one of the best games of his career going 7 ⅓ scoreless innings. The ball was handed over to one of the best closers in baseball, Aroldis Chapman. Chapman closed out the 8th. The Dodgers were still scoreless going into the ninth. What happened after the 8th was history.

Batter number one for the Dodgers was Enrique Hernandez. Chapman had no problem striking him out. Followed by Hernandez was Carlos Ruiz. On a full count he walked to first base. With two outs to go Wrigley was electric. The game came down to Yasiel Puig. On the first pitch that Chapman delivered, Puig’s bat made contact with the ball. Instead of it going over the fence like Puig hoped it would it took a few hops to the shortstop position and right into the glove of Addison Russell. Russell flipped the ball to Javier Baez who was standing on second base and gunned it to Rizzo at first. When the ball hit the back of Rizzo’s mit before Puig’s foot hit the base Wrigley Field erupted. The Cubs had won the Pennant for the first time in 71 years. The young fans were screaming while the older fans were crying tears of joy. The players jumped in pure excitement out on the pitching mound.  It had finally happened. The Cubs are World Series bound.

Today is a day to celebrate the Cubs. They are on their way to the World Series, but come Tuesday it is back to business. As great as it is to win the Pennant for the first time since ’45 it would be even greater if the Cubs could win the World Series for the first time since 1908. Next up for the Cubs are the Cleveland Indians. The Indians have been dominant in the AL losing only one playoff game this year. If the Cubs want that first World Series title in what seems like forever, they will have to earn it. Pitching matchups are still to be determined. The games will begin on Tuesday in Cleveland at 7:00 on Fox. Be sure to read the post game wrap-up after every single World Series game on The Forest Scout the following morning. Today we celebrate the pennant. Tuesday begins the strive for all of the glory.