In Cleveland, heartbreak and celebration go hand in hand—especially when the team in question gave everything they had in one of the most unforgettable seasons in baseball history.
This weekend, the Guardians are honoring the 2016 American League pennant-winning team, a squad that came agonizingly close to ending the city's 68-year World Series drought. While the ultimate prize slipped away in a dramatic seven-game classic against the Chicago Cubs—who famously snapped their own 108-year championship curse—there's still plenty of reason to look back with pride.
Nearly every member of that 2016 team (still known as the Indians at the time) gathered at Progressive Field on Friday, including former manager Terry Francona, now with the Cincinnati Reds. For players and fans alike, it was a chance to relive a season filled with magic, tension, and what-ifs.
"It's so good to see so many of these guys' faces," said Jason Kipnis, the team's second baseman that year. "We could have a group text, but to get back and get that hug and reminisce with them—that makes it a lot of fun. There's always people who ask, 'Would you rather not go to the playoffs than go to the World Series and lose?' No, because the memories of that run have lasted a lifetime already."
The 2016 season was a rollercoaster from start to finish. After acquiring elite reliever Andrew Miller at the trade deadline, the Indians went 94-67 to win the AL Central. They then powered through the Red Sox and Blue Jays in the playoffs to set up a historic World Series matchup against the Cubs—a clash between two franchises desperate to end decades of futility.
After splitting the first two games at home, Cleveland took two straight at Wrigley Field, building a commanding 3-1 series lead. But then came the rain delay in Game 7—a moment many Cleveland fans still believe changed everything. The Cubs rallied, and the rest is painful history.
Still, the reunion this weekend is about more than just a loss. It's about celebrating a team that captured the hearts of a city, a season that reminded everyone why baseball is so special, and a group of players who will forever be connected by one unforgettable October.