NY Times share sports cover if Cubs had lost World Series
Before the Chicago Cubs' history making World Series victory in Game 7 against the Cleveland Indians, the New York Times were prepared to show the sports world what could have been if the Cubs had lost, further extending their championship drought to 109 years.
The World Series sports page that wasn't -- what The NY Times had planned for if and when the Cubs lost World Series: pic.twitter.com/cGGP7DOjpH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 6, 2016
1948 - the Dugout - by Norman Rockwell. #Cubs #Baseball pic.twitter.com/LfRkZ9PDaV
— Chicago History (@Chicago_History) January 2, 2015
The cover of choice would have recreated Norman Rockwell's painting "The Dugout" in timely fashion, as it was released on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1948 which also happens to be the last time the Indians won the World Series.
The front page would have featured Kyle Schwarber, manager Joe Maddon, Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez with fans in the background - including Cleveland supporters Tom Hanks and LeBron James - making a mockery of the Cubs' defeat.
Luckily for the players and fans of Chicago, the team prevailed in 10 innings thanks to Ben Zobrist's clutch RBI double, paving the way to their first World Series since 1908.