A remarkable chapter was written in the long and illustrious history of the Chicago Cubs as they etched their name in the record books by securing their inaugural victory at the iconic home ground of the New York Yankees. Founded in 1876, the Cubs have stood as a formidable force in the world of baseball, proudly representing the north side of Chicago. Despite boasting an array of illustrious fans, including the likes of esteemed actor Bill Murray, influential politician Hillary Clinton, and the iconic frontman of Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder, the team endured the agonizing wait of 108 years before laying their hands on a championship title.
Throughout this period of prolonged despair, the Cubs had never managed to conquer the fortress of Yankee Stadium situated in the Bronx. However, the tides turned on a momentous Saturday when they achieved a historic 3-0 triumph, propelled by the triumphant return of Jameson Taillon, who had previously plied his trade for the Yankees over a span of two seasons.
Representing different leagues within Major League Baseball (MLB), the Yankees, standing for the American League, and the Cubs, representing the National League, engage in separate competitions. The enthralling saga of battles between these two iconic franchises commenced in 1997, following a significant overhaul in the competition structure. However, it was not until 2005 that the Cubs made their first regular season appearance against the Yankees on their home turf in New York.
The Cubs and the Yankees have locked horns twice in the World Series, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history. Their initial showdown occurred in 1932, with the Yankees emerging victorious with an emphatic 4-0 scoreline. This triumph coincided with the final championship attained by the legendary Babe Ruth. The second clash transpired in 1938, during the twilight of Lou Gehrig’s awe-inspiring career. The Yankees once again prevailed, claiming another resounding 4-0 victory, marking Gehrig’s last active season before retiring due to ALS, also known as Gehrig’s Disease.
While the Yankees bask in the glitz and glamour of their illustrious reputation, the Cubs have often been unjustly labeled as perennial underdogs, despite their three triumphant World Series campaigns in 1907, 1908, and a momentous victory in 2016, ending a century-long championship drought. The team carries a rich tapestry of tradition, with their venerable Wrigley Field, their home since 1914, proudly standing as the second oldest stadium in the MLB, second only to Fenway Park.
Prior to this historic win, the Cubs had suffered defeat in all 12 of their previous visits to Yankee Stadium, including five encounters at the state-of-the-art venue that opened its doors in 2009.