Big surprise: Kyle Schwarber plays the role of hero again for Cubs in World Series Game 7

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CLEVELAND - Kyle Schwarber is your World Series Game 7 hero.

You can take out Schwarber's name and put in any number of players — Ben Zobrist or Kris Bryant, even Albert Almora Jr. or Miguel Montero or Mike Montgomery.

But Schwarber ignited the rally that etched this team of destiny into the record books forever...and added another chapter to his legendary story.

The designated hitter drilled a single to open the top of the 10th inning off Indians reliever Bryan Shaw. Almora Jr. pinch-ran for Schwarber and came around to score the eventual game-winning run three batters later.

This came after the Cubs blew a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and then were forced to sit through a rain delay before extra innings began.

"It just tells you about the culture we have," Schwarber said. "We're not going to quit, ever. I can't be prouder to be on this team."

Of course, the fact Schwarber even played in Game 7 was downright incredible after blowing out his knee on April 7.

All Schwarber did was hit .412 in the World Series with a .500 on-base percentage, collecting seven hits in four games in Cleveland after not even recording a base hit in the regular season.

The 23-year-old slugger had three hits in Game 7, including beating out an infield grounder in the first inning.

As he ran through the first base bag, he looked at Cubs fans, pointed and bent his knee repeatedly, as if to say, "Injury? What injury?"

He stole second base a few pitches later without a throw.

On his second hit, Schwarber smashed a 112 mph rope into the right field corner, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

"[My leg] is fine, man," he said. "Then I get thrown out at second and I'm like, 'Ahh! I don't run as good as I should!"

The Cubs missed Schwarber's bat in the lineup at Wrigley Field, when he was deemed not healthy enough to play the outfield.

With Schwarber at DH, the Cubs won three of four games in Cleveland.

Schwarber said this championship "definitely" means more to him after his tough personal journey this season.

"I was out after the third game of the year," he said as teammates showered him with champagne inside the Cubs' locker room at Progressive Field. "I thought my season was over. For these guys to stick with me and push through it with me, it means a lot. It really does mean a lot."

More on the World Series victory

--Joy to the World: Cubs finally end 108-year Series drought

--Finally: The Cubs are World Series champs

--The wait –and the weight- is over: Cubs fans celebrate World Series title

--Barack Obama congratulates Cubs World Series championship

--Famous Cubs fans celebrate World Series title on Twitter

--Ben Zobrist becomes first Cub ever to win World Series MVP

--Numbers game: statistical oddities of the Cubs World Series title

--Jed Hoyer: Rain delay was ‘divine intervention’ for Cubs

​--Fans give Cubs a taste of home in Cleveland

--Ben Zobrist delivers exactly what the Cubs expected with massive World Series

--‘Dreams come true’: Bill Murray reacts to Cubs winning the World Series

--Big surprise: Kyle Schwarber plays hero again for Cubs in World Series Game 7

- Ryne Sandberg: World Series ‘made it able for me to live in the present’

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