Ben Zobrist has been named Most Valuable Player of the 2016 World Series while helping the Chicago Cubs secure their first title since 1908.
The outfielder had the game-winning RBI double in the 10th inning of the dramatic Game 7 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Baseball Reference noted the historical importance of the game-winning hit:
He also finished the series batting .357 with a .419 on-base percentage, getting a hit in six of the seven games.
Zobrist has now won back-to-back titles after winning the World Series with the Kansas City Royals last season.
ESPN Stats and Info provided an interesting note on the veteran player:
Per Odds Shark, the No. 4 hitter had 10-1 odds to win this award coming into the series, tied for second-best among Cubs players behind only Jake Arrieta. He lived up to expectations with a strong performance throughout the seven games.
He finished with a .250 batting average and five RBI in 17 postseason games.
His wife, Julianna, provided motivational words from her view of the big play:
Buster Olney of ESPN discussed the lack of pressure Zobrist had put on himself in these big games:
Of course, with a team like this, there were plenty of other options for MVP. Woody Paige of the Gazette noted the possible options:
Kyle Schwarber batted .412 in his appearances as a designated hitter after missing most of the season. Anthony Rizzo hit .360 with some clutch RBI, while Kris Bryant was responsible for some of the biggest moments in the series.
The pitching staff also had some big moments, although Justin Verlander was voting for a sentimental favorite:
David Ross hit a key home run in his last game before retiring.
Still, it was Zobrist who took home the hardware, helping break the longest championship drought in professional sports in his first season with the team.
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