Top 108 Moments for the 2016 Cubs (Now complete!)

[itisallpartoftheplan]

#74: Cubs Finally Break Through in 13th Against Pirates

 

 

Why on the list? - For those who don't remember this game, it was also the game Soler tied it in the 9th with a HR, then the Cubs had about a billion chances to win in the 10th, 11th, and 12th, including two separate instances where Baez was thrown out at the plate when he would have won the game if safe. The Pirates ran out of decent pitchers eventually, though, and they ran out of luck eventually too, being the first of a string of teams making poor decisions to intentionally walk the bases loaded in front of Miguel Montero, who takes it personally each time. This was the first of Montero's winning hits of the year.

 

Angry about lack of playing time Montero definitely delivered the last 2 months in clutch spots.

[bukie]

#73: Cubs Complete Crazy Comeback vs Mariners

 

 

Why on the list? - The 9th inning of this wild game is all about great baserunning, with Russell taking a heads up extra base on a single when the LF throws to 3rd, then Contreras beating out a tailor-made double play ball, and then Russell scores on an 0-2 wild pitch to tie the game. Then in the 12th, with one out and a runner on 3rd, Maddon goes to Jon Lester, who everyone knows is there to bunt, and he bunts anyway with two strikes and gets the squeeze down, scoring Heyward. Just a wild game.

Edited February 24, 2017 by bukie

[bukie]

#72: Fowler Comes Off DL, HRs on First Pitch He Sees

 

 

Why on the list? - Fowler started the season on an unreal tear, but injured his hamstring in mid June, putting him out for nearly 6 weeks. Fortunately, he picked up right where he left off here, homering right away, and driving in 3 runs in a 5-2 Cub victory where they finally started to pick themselves up from a dreadful stretch in late June and early July.

[bukie]

#71: Russell Makes Impossible Catch, Saves 3 Runs

 

 

Why on the list? - Of all the regular-season defensive mastery the Cubs exhibited, this was the best defensive play I've seen. He was actually shading Polanco up the middle, ran 107 feet, and caught the ball about a foot from the line. It was one of the most efficient defensive route of the season by Statcast at 98.5% efficient. The Cubs held on for a 6-5 victory, making the catch doubly important in hindsight.

[weis21]

That one stuck out to me as best D play of the year, too. Which is, of course, high praise with this squad.

[Sammy Sofa]

#73: Russell and Contreras Hustle to Save Cubs vs Mariners

 

 

Why on the list? - The 9th inning of this wild game is all about great baserunning, with Russell taking a heads up extra base on a single when the LF throws to 3rd, then Contreras beating out a tailor-made double play ball, and then Russell scores on an 0-2 wild pitch to tie the game. Just a wild game.

 

"You're wild, man...WILD!!!"

[Andy]

That one stuck out to me as best D play of the year, too. Which is, of course, high praise with this squad.

The first play I can remember Russell exhibiting genuine pumped-up emotion, too (even when he hit the 3-run HR in the first home game, he just raised his arms).

 

It would not be the last time.

[philosophizer75]

That's the first time I can remember him getting hyped up in 2016. ,

 

Last year (2015) later in the season he and Baez made a play at 2nd to finish the game against the Cardinals and he was fist pumping and shouting with Javy. That was the first time I ever saw him do it.

[Andy]

That's the first time I can remember him getting hyped up in 2016. ,

 

Last year (2015) later in the season he and Baez made a play at 2nd to finish the game against the Cardinals and he was fist pumping and shouting with Javy. That was the first time I ever saw him do it.

Good call. I didn't see that 2015 game live but recall the replays now that you mention it.

[bukie]

#70: Bryant Basically Beats Brewers By Himself

 

 

Why on the list? - Bryant turns in his second 5 for 5 performance of the year, hitting a second HR when he needed a triple for the cycle, and then tacking on an insurance run in the 8th on another single. Game total 4 runs scored, 5 RBI, two singles, a double, and two HRs. And this was definitely only his second best hitting game of the season.

[bukie]

#69: Rizzo Hits Inside-the-Park HR

 

 

Why on the list? - Sure, it could also be called "Hamilton misplays ball of his own face", but inside-the-parkers are rare, and we'll give Rizzo credit for this one, because the scorers did.

[bukie]

#68: Baez Delivers a Mother's Day Gift

 

 

Why on the list? - Coming into this series, the Nats actually had record about the same as the Cubs. The Cubs won the first 3 games of the series, and for the 4th, they were determined not to let Bryce Harper beat them, putting him on base seven times in the game, and having it work out every time. And then to top it off, Baez ended it in the 13th just after the Cubs walked the bases loaded and got Zimmerman to end the inning for the 7th or so time.

Edited February 16, 2017 by bukie

[squally1313]

#68: Baez Delivers a Mother's Day Gift

 

 

Why on the list? - Coming into this series, the Nats actually had a better record than the Cubs. The Cubs won the first 3 games of the series, and for the 4th, they were determined not to let Bryce Harper beat them, putting him on base seven times in the game, and having it work out every time. And then to top it off, Baez ended it in the 13th just after the Cubs walked the bases loaded and got Zimmerman to end the inning for the 7th or so time.

 

I've watched this video like 50 times. Given that pitch location and the fact that it seemed like he hit it off the end of the bat, that noise, the exit velocity, the fact that he knew it right away, and the fact that he put it in the LEFT field bleachers is just astounding to me.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Love watching these videos! And listening to the crack of the bat is just... it's getting to me. :blush:

[Thurman Merman]

I can't believe that is only 68. God this past year was awesome.

[Bull]

[offtopic][/offtopic]

I can't believe that is only 68. God this past year was awesome.

I've said that about a dozen or so of these, "how did he find (x number) better than this. It really speaks to how many huge moments there were. I think Rizzo in particular must be addicted to his own adrenaline at the point.

[soccer10k]

#68: Baez Delivers a Mother's Day Gift

 

 

Why on the list? - Coming into this series, the Nats actually had a better record than the Cubs. The Cubs won the first 3 games of the series, and for the 4th, they were determined not to let Bryce Harper beat them, putting him on base seven times in the game, and having it work out every time. And then to top it off, Baez ended it in the 13th just after the Cubs walked the bases loaded and got Zimmerman to end the inning for the 7th or so time.

 

Minor nitpicking but the Cubs were 20-6 coming into the series while the Nats were 19-8.

 

Love this series though. So many great memories that I'd forgotten about, though not this one. Watched the first few innings at my parents house. Drove home (90 minutes away), started watching again where I left off and was only about 10 minutes behind when Baez walked it off.

[Andy]

The 13-inning game was one of my favorites of the year, because the team had already built up so much goodwill with me by that point that I was just waiting to see who won the game for us, rather than stressing about whether we'd win. Heard Javy's homer on the radio and I think I woke my then-pregnant and napping wife up with my yelping.

[Sammys Boombox]

May 8 is my birthday. We were visiting my parents who live 6 hours away. I had been shopping for a used truck for a long time. Parked right across the street from my parent's house and for sale was exactly what I had been looking for. So I bought it and drove the 6 hours home. I didn't mind all the extra innings since I was driving. Right as I pulled off the interstate close to my house Baez hit the walk off. Very fun day.

[bukie]

#67: Rizzo Salvages Cubs' Worst Day of 2016 with 6 RBI

 

 

Why on the list? - I won't dwell too much on the negative of this game, but even after falling behind several times during the game, the Cubs, and particularly Rizzo, kept coming at the Dbacks, who at the time were expected to be a competitive team, and Rizzo really put the game out of reach in the 9th with a 3-run HR.

[soccer10k]

I won't dwell too much on the negative of this game

 

We realized our hatred of John Lackey was fully justified? Or was that a positive? I'm not sure.

[bukie]

#66: Rizzo Continues Cubs Torment of Nats

 

 

Why on the list? - This was actually one of the five biggest hits by WPA of the Cubs' regular season, and rightfully so (the Baez Mother's Day HR was 6th), taking the Cubs from trailing to leading in the 9th. The game eventually went south with Rondon's first blown save of the season, but at this moment in time the Cubs absolutely got into the Nats' heads, as in the postgame some Nats players felt the need to deride this Cub team for the media coverage.

[bukie]

#65: Contreras Helps Cubs Finally Break Through Braves After Rain

 

 

Why on the list? - Another highlight from the dark times of the Cubs' season, as they continued to struggle with every team (though it was only the sweep at the hands of the Cards that really bothered people...that and the Mets maybe), but there were still some big hits during that time. None bigger than this Contreras "triple" that finally got a horrifically stagnant offense going against a Braves team that was awful to that point in the season. No need to dwell on the 9th inning, however.

[soccer10k]

This was actually one of the five biggest hits by WPA of the Cubs' regular season, and rightfully so (the Baez Mother's Day HR was 6th),

 

How did you figure this out? I messed around on B-R for a bit but couldn't figure it out. I'd be interested in seeing the list.

[bukie]

This was actually one of the five biggest hits by WPA of the Cubs' regular season, and rightfully so (the Baez Mother's Day HR was 6th),

 

How did you figure this out? I messed around on B-R for a bit but couldn't figure it out. I'd be interested in seeing the list.

Play Index -> Event Index -> Batting by Team -> Cubs Plate Appearances

 

...doesn't cover defensive plays, but gives a good idea of what specific PAs were significant this season. Also didn't cover the wild pitch walk-off, since it techncially wasn't a PA.