The Chicago Cubs finally stamped a permanent mark on the city for their 2016 World Series win. This squad ended a 108-year drought that felt like it would never break. On Saturday, the club unveiled Champions Gate right in front of Wrigley Field. The new archway features plaques for the 1907, 1908, and 2016 championship seasons. It’s a bold move to lock in that legacy forever.
The 2016 Team Returns to Celebrate
Key players from that historic squad showed up to cut the ribbon. World Series MVP Ben Zobrist stood alongside team leader Anthony Rizzo. Former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta joined the crowd as well. Many others returned to help mark the 10-year anniversary of the victory. The ceremony took place while fans watched the celebration unfold. Per ESPN, Rizzo and former manager Joe Maddon spoke to the assembled crowd before the gate opened. Their words carried the weight of a decade of hard work.
108 years.
The gate stands as a reminder of the summer the city changed. The Cubs started that season with a 25-6 run before winning it all. They beat Cleveland in seven games to claim the title. This specific start rate showed how dominant the team really was. It’s hard to forget that fast pace. The new gate ensures no one forgets it now.
Epstein Reflects on the Dream Come True
The architect of the team, Theo Epstein, summed up the reunion weekend. He sat next to owner Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. Epstein joked that he wouldn’t have left voluntarily if the curse remained. He told the crowd, “It’s been a blast,” according to ESPN. He noted how the old feelings just come back right away. That emotional connection still lives on for this special group.
Epstein shared a personal story about his past dreams of winning. He said he woke up every morning reminding himself they still had work to do. That mindset shifted completely after November 3, 2016. He woke up with the feeling that they finally did it. Then he wondered if it was just another dream again. Of course, it wasn’t. The reality of that win changed everything for Chicago.
A Legacy Built to Last
Wrigley Field now has a permanent spot for these three titles. The plaques on Champions Gate honor the 1907, 1908, and 2016 seasons. This physical structure proves the franchise is back in the conversation. It tells the next generation what is possible. The city needed this reminder after so many years of waiting.
Did this gate arrive at the perfect time for the fans? Let us know in the comments below.
