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SPORTS Saturday 31 december 2016

In this Nov. 3, 2016, file photo, the Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 7 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians, in Cleveland. The
Cubs won 8-7 in 10 innings to win the series 4 games to 3.
Associated Press
Cubs’ World Series title voted top AP sports story of 2016

JAY COHEN Press’ Sports Story of the first NBA title took third with of the country tuning in to last stand for David Ross,
AP Sports Writer Year. 425 points. see if it finally was the year. a retiring catcher who be-
CHICAGO (AP) — Every- “The burden has been lift- In a year that seemed to It was. came a key figure in Chica-
thing changed for the ed,” manager Joe Mad- be more about what we “I think a lot of casual fans go’s clubhouse. Loads of
Chicago Cubs on a rainy don said. The Cubs’ first lost (Ali, Arnold Palmer, were initially drawn to the bright young stars, with Kris
November night. A centu- World Series title since 1908 Gordie Howe, Pat Summitt, Cubs in the postseason Bryant turning in an MVP
ry-plus worth of heartache is the runaway winner for Jose Fernandez and the because of the 108-year performance. An eccen-
washed away by a wave top sports story of 2016, col- plane crash that killed most drought and the curse nar- tric personality in Maddon,
of pure joy. lecting 48 of 59 first-place of the Brazilian club soccer rative,” president of base- who cemented his status
There were hugs, cheers votes and 549 points in bal- team Chapecoense) than ball operations Theo Ep- as one of the game’s best
and tears — and bottles loting by AP members and the winners on the field, the stein said. “But when they managers.
and bottles of booze, editors. The death of Mu- Cubs provided a feel-good tuned in, they saw a talent- There was history, for the
sprayed everywhere from hammad Ali after a long moment that warmed at ed team full of young, ex- franchise and its front of-
Cleveland to the shadow battle with Parkinson’s dis- least the north side of Chi- citing players who are also fice, with Epstein helping
of Wrigley Field. ease was second with 427 cago well into the city’s no- team-first, high-character end two of baseball’s big-
Lovable losers, no more. points, and LeBron James toriously brutal winter. They people.” gest droughts. See Boston
The story of so many life- leading the Cleveland drew huge ratings through- As baseball stories go, the Red Sox, 2004.
times is The Associated Cavaliers to the franchise’s out the playoffs, with much 2016 Cubs had it all. One Continued on Page 18