Out with the old, in with the new.
The numbers 1908, 1945 and 1969 are now — more or less — ancient history for Cubs nation.
Now, Cubs fans get to memorize a new list of numbers and random statistics.
CSN Chicago stats coordinator Chris Kamka and Cubs reporter Tony Andracki compiled some interesting historical nuggets about the Cubs’ World Series championship over the Cleveland Indians:
— Dexter Fowler: first leadoff home run in a Game 7 in World Series history. Appropriately, it tied for the franchise lead in postseason home runs with three others. The top four comprise the 1-2-3-4 spots in the Game 7 lineup (Fowler, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo). Fowler also joins Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle as the only center fielders to homer in a Game 7.
— David Ross: oldest catcher in World Series history to hit Home Run (39 years, 228 days) — and he did it in the final game of his Major League career. In fact, he's the oldest player to homer in a World Series game with that game as the last of a career. Who previously held that distinction? Former Cub Shawon Dunston, whose final game was Game 6 of the 2002 World Series with the Giants. The previous oldest person to homer in a World Series Game 7 was Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a championship in 1979. Those Pirates were also the last team to rally back from a 3-1 deficit while winning both games on the road until the Cubs just accomplished that feat again.
— During the course of Games 6 & 7, two Cubs became the second-youngest in World Series history behind Mantle to do something special. In Game 6 Addison Russell became second to only Mantle as youngest to hit a World Series grand slam. In Game 7, Javier Baez became second to only Mantle as youngest to hit a Game 7 home run.
MLB
— Cubs are the third team in Major League history (following the 1950 Phillies in Game 3 and 1978 Dodgers in Game 3) to use three catchers in a World Series game. Of course, the Cubs are the first to have all three of those catchers record an RBI.
— Schwarber was the first non-pitcher in World Series history to collect a hit without getting a hit during the regular season. He had seven hits in the 2016 World Series.
— This Cubs team is the first team to win a World Series despite suffering four postseason shutout losses along the way. The 1981 Dodgers had previously been the only team to suffer as many as three. They’re the first team since the 1960 Pirates to suffer two Word Series shutouts and still win the series.
— Barack Obama joins Teddy Roosevelt as only US presidents to be in office for a Cubs World Series championship. Obama attains this feat just days before the 2016 election.
— Theo Epstein ended the Red Sox 86-year World Series drought. Then, he ended the Cubs 108-year World Series drought. And yet, he's 219 days younger than Bartolo Colon, an active pitcher.
— Kyle Hendricks became the first player since 1987 to pick-off a runner in a World Series Game 7 and the fifth overall.
— Addison Russell's nine RBI are the most ever by a Cubs player in the World Series.
— This is the first time since he became a full-time reliever in 2012 that Andrew Miller has allowed as many as four hits in an appearance.
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’