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PAGELABELTAG THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION CREDIBLE. COMPELLING. COMPLETE. C3 WORLD SERIES CUBS 9, INDIANS 3 (LATE TUESDAY) GAME 7 Game 7 offers many indelible moments Rii Trying to cap the Cubs' comeback from a 3-1 Series deficit, Kyle Hendricks pitches in Game 7 Wednesday night against the Indians in Cleveland, gene j.puskar associated press Cubs' rout pushes Series to maximum Bill Murray treats Cubs fan to ticket Bill Murray came to the rescue of a fellow Cubs fan by providing a ticket to Game 6 of the World Series. Karen Michel told MLB.

com she was hoping there might be an extra ticket Tues-day at the Cleveland box office. After being told the game was sold out, she spotted Murray walking by and decided to follow him. The Indiana woman said the actor turned around and offered her a ticket. She sat next to Murray in a section with other celebrity Cubs fans, including Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder. Meanwhile, actor Charlie Sheen, who played Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn in "Major League," a fictional movie hit about Cleveland's breakthrough postseason success, was expected to be on hand for Game 7.

With a push from fans on social media, Sheen had campaigned to throw one of the first pitches in Cleveland, but the honors went to former players. Philadelphia names Stairs hitting coach The Phillies named Matt Stairs hitting coach. Stairs played parts of 19 seasons in the major leagues with 12 franchises. He spent the past three seasons as an analyst on the Phillies' television broadcasts. Stairs, 48, replaces Steve Henderson.

Two other coaches have new roles. Rick Kranitz, formerly the bullpen coach, is now an assistant pitching coach. John McLaren, formerly the catching coach, is now bullpen coach. Etc. The Giants signed righthander Josh Johnson, who last pitched in the majors with Toronto, to a minor league deal with the hopes he can perform after three Tommy John elbow surgeries.

The Rangers received right-hander Adrian Sampson on a waiver claim from the Mariners. Sampson made his major league debut last season before surgery to repair of flexor tendon in his right elbow. He is expected to be in injury rehab for the start of the 2017 season. By Jake Seiner Associated Press Here's a look at seven notable World Series Game 7s: Maz sinks the Yanks I960: Pirates 10, Yankees 9 Between 1947 and 1962, the Yankees won 10 championships, but Bill Maze-roski and the Pirates stole one away with a wild Game 7 at Forbes Field that included the first Series-ending homer. Pittsburgh led 4-0 after two innings, but Mickey Mantle and the Yanks roared back for a 5-4 lead after six.

New York added two more runs before the Bucs rallied in the eighth, with Hal Smith's homer putting Pittsburgh ahead 9-7. Mantle and Yogi Berra had RBIs in the ninth to tie it 9-9, setting the stage for Mazerosld's celebrated blast. The undersized future Hall of Famer led off the ninth with a shot to left against Ralph Terry, putting his helmet in hand and waving his arms as he rounded the bases. Morris' moment 1991: Twins 1, Braves 10 innings Jack Morris made one of the most memorable starts in baseball history by dominating for 10 innings against the upstart Braves at the Metro-dome. The 37-year-old retired the final seven batters he faced, including a double play to escape a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning Lonnie Smith got lost while running the bases earlier in the inning, costing Atlanta a sure run.

Pinch-hitter Gene Larkin won it in the 10th, singling to deep left-center to score Dan Gladden and give Minnesota its second title in five years. John Smoltz countered Morris with a solid outing, pitching 7V3 solid innings, but Alejandro Pena and the bullpen couldn't outlast Minnesota's durable righty. Bumgarner's big save 2014: Giants 3, Royals 2 Madison Bumgarner cemented himself as one of the World Series' best-ever pitchers with a remarkable five-inning save just three days after throwing a shutout in Game 5. Michael Morse broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the fourth inning, and after getting one more inning out of left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, manager Bruce Bochy gave the ball to Bumgarner in the fifth and never came back for it. Bumgarner struck out four and allowed just two hits, getting Salvador Perez to pop up in foul territory with a runner on third in the bottom of the ninth for the final out.

The big lefty won the opener, too, and easily took Series MVP honors. D'Backs get to Mo 2001: Diamondbacks 3, Yankees 2 Mariano Rivera, baseball's most feared closer of all time, also suffered through one of the Series' the most crushing blown saves. Yankees man ager Joe Torre asked Rivera to get the final six outs in a one-run game at Arizona, but Rivera couldn't come through. Tony Womack's double tied it with one out in the ninth inning, and two batters later, Luis Gonzalez blooped a single into center and jumped his way to first base before being mobbed by teammates. It was the fifth and most recent game-ending hit in a Game 7.

The Game 7 letdown 1986: Mets 8, Red Sox 5 Game 7s aren't always the most memorable in the Series, and in 1986, the finale lacked the drama of perhaps the most famous Game 6 ever. Following Bill Buck-ner's game-ending error two days earlier, New York struggled initially against left-hander Bruce Hurst in Game 7, but Keith Hernandez put the Mets on the board with a two-run single in the sixth, and Gary Carter drove in another run to tie it at 3. Boston went to the bullpen for the seventh, and Series MVP Ray Knight led off with a go-ahead homer. New York later added on, with Darryl Strawberry taking his time getting around the bases after a home run, and Jesse Orosco pitched two innings for a save to clinch the Mets' second World Series title. Cubs' last World Series Game 7 1945: Tigers 9, Cubs 3 AL MVP Hal Newhouser and the Tigers spoiled the Cubs' most recent Game 7 in the World Series, striking out 10 in a complete game at Wrigley Field.

Hank Borowy started for Chicago but was lifted after three runs and no outs, and Detroit led 6-1 after IV2 innings. Doc Cramer had three hits for Detroit, and Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg won his second World Series a year after returning from the U.S. Army. The Cubs hadn't been back to the World Series since until this season, and they're still seeking their first Game 7 World Series victory. Indians' last World Series Game 7 1997: Marlins 3, Indians 2, 11 innings Many fans in Cleveland unfortunately for them -remember the Indians' previous World Series Game 7 well.

In the 11th inning, Edgar Renteria hit a soft liner off pitcher Charles Nagy's glove into center field for a single, scoring Craig Counsell from third base to give Florida a championship in its fifth season of existence. The Indians had a chance to wrap up the game in the ninth inning, but Counsell hit a deep sacrifice fly off Jose Mesa to score Moises Alou. Florida's Robb Nen struck out Omar Vizquel, Manny Ramirez and David Justice in the 10th, and then Jay Powell ended the 11th by getting Jim Thome to ground into a double play before Rente-ria's game-ending hit. Russell's six RBIs, grand slam help set stage for Game 7. By Tom Withers Associated Press CLEVELAND One more game.

For everything. Either a 108-year World Series championship drought was going to an end, or another lasting 68 years. Cubs vs. Indians in a winner-take-all Game 7. "It's just correct and apt that we'd go seven games," Chicago manager Joe Mad-don said.

Addison Russell hit a grand slam and tied a Series record with six RBIs, and Chicago took advantage of an early misplay in Cleveland's outfield as the Cubs, their offense finally revving, throttled the Indians 9-3 on Tuesday night in Game 6 to push this tense tug-of-war between baseball's two lon their first title since 1948, missed a second shot at closing out the Cubs. Cleveland was forced to play another Game 7 after losing in 11 innings to the Florida Marlins in 1997 in its last trip to the Series. Not taking any chances despite a comfortable late lead, Maddon used Aroldis Chapman for one out in the seventh, the eighth and one batter in the ninth. For the Cubs, shut out twice earlier in this Series, Bryant had four hits and Anthony Rizzo added three, including a two-run homer. They hammered Josh Tomlin, who couldn't get out of the third inning and didn't get any help from his outfield in the first as right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall and rookie center fielder Tyler Naquin unable to hear each other over the roaring crowd -looked at each other and let the ball drop for a double as two runs scored.

gest title drought holders to the limit. "This is kind of fitting for these two franchises. This is storybook," Cubs catcher David Ross said. "They'll make movies about this one day." Indians ace Corey Klu-ber, dominant while winning Games 1 and 4, started again on short rest Wednesday night at home against big league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy," said Jason Kipnis, who homered and had three hits.

"We knew they've got a great ballclub over there." Kris Bryant homered to spark a three-run first inning, Russell hit the first Series slam in 11 years and Jake Arrieta worked into the sixth as the Cubs fought back after being down 3-1 in the series. One more win at Progressive Field would bring their first championship since 1908. The Indians, trying for WORLD SERIES MEMORIES A member of 1945 Tigers pulling for Cubs this time CHICAGO CUBS VS. CLEVELAND INDIANS VtJRLD SERIES Game 1 Game 2: Game 3: Game 4: Game 5: Game 6: Game 7: Indians 6, Cubs 0 Cubs 5, Indians 1 Indians 1 Indians 7, Cubs 2 Cubs 3, Indians 2 Cubs 9, Indians 3 Cubsat Indians, late Note: Best-of-seven series Tuesday's box score V' Ed Mierkowicz, the only 1945 World Series player still alive, points to himself in a group photo at his home in Rochester Hills, Mich, carlososorio associated press Mierkowicz, 92, was rookie with Detroit in Series victory. By NoahTrister Associated Press ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH.

-The last living player from the 1945 World Series has been pulling for the Cubs. Ed Mierkowicz didn't play for Chicago. He was on the Detroit team that beat the Cubs in Game 7 at Wrigley Field 71 years ago. Now 92, the Michigan native remains a baseball fan and was looking forward to this year's World Series finale Wednesday night between the Cubs and Cleveland Indians. "I'd like to see the Cubs win," he said Wednesday.

"Not because I don't like Cleveland, but it's been a long time for the Cubs." The Cubs were trying for their first title since 1908. Before this season, they hadn't even made it to the Series since 1945, when Mierkowicz was on the field for the final outs. His only appearance of that series came at the end of Game 7. Chicago had tied the series with a 12-inning victory in Game 6, but the Tigers scored five runs in the top of the first in Game 7 to help put it away. Mierkowicz doesn't remember a lot of details from games over seven decades ago, but play-byplay at Baseball-Reference, com helps fill in the gaps.

With the Tigers up 9-3, a nervous Mierkowicz entered to start the bottom of the ninth, replacing Detroit star Cubs 9, Indians 3 Chicago AB Bl SO Avg, Fowlercf 5 0 0 0 1 .160 Schwarberdh 4 1 1 0 0 .333 Bryant3b 5 2 4 1 0 .273 Rizzolb 5 3 3 2 0 .364 Zobristlf 4 2 2 0 1 .391 Russell ss 5 1 2 6 1 .250 Contrerasc 3 0 0 0 1 .059 Heywardrf 4 0 0 0 0 .200 Baez2b 4 0 1 0 2 .160 Totals 39 9 13 9 6 Cleveland AB Bl SO Avg. Santanadh 4 0 0 0 1 .211 Kipnis2b 5 2 3 1 0 .308 Lindorss 3 0 0 0 1 .364 Napolilb 4 0 113 .211 Ramirez3b 4 0 1 0 1 .292 Chisenhallrf 1 0 0 0 1 .071 Gomes ph 1 0 0 0 0 .000 Martinez rf 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Crisp If 1 0 0 0 0 .250 Guyerph-lf 1 1 0 0 0 .125 Naquincf 2 0 0 0 2 .143 Davisph-cf 2 0 0 0 0 .176 Perezc 3 0 111 .211 Totals 31 3 6 3 10 Chicago 304 000 002- 9 13 0 Cleveland 000 110 001- 3 6 1 Kipnis (3). LOB: Chicago 6, Cleveland 8. 2B: Russell (1), Kipnis (3). HR: Bryant (2), off Tomlin; Russell (1), off Otero; Rizzo Clevinger; Kipnis (2), off Arrieta.

RBI: Bryant (2), Rizzo 2 (4), Russell 6(8), Kipnis (4), Napoli (1), Perez (5). Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 3, Cleveland 4. RISP: Chicago 3 for 10; Cleveland 2 for 6. DP: Chicago 1, Cleveland 1. Chicago IP ER BBSO ERA Arrieta Vh 3 2 2 3 9 2.38 Montgomery 1 1 0 0 1 0 2.08 Chapman l'3 11111 1.42 Strop 1 0 0 1 0 0.00 Wood V3 0 0 0 0 0 5.40 Cleveland IP ER BBSO ERA Tomlin 2V3 6 6 6 1 0 7.71 Otero V3 1 1 1 0 0 2.70 Salazar 2 1 0 0 0 4 0.00 Manship 1 0 0 0 1 0.00 McAllister l'3 2 0 0 0 0 9.00 Clevinger 2 2 2 2 2 1 4.50 Arrieta (2-0).

Tomlin (0-1). 3:29. Mierkowicz said. "He was good to me. I didn't know him that well, but he was a great guy, great ballplayer.

Mierkowicz was born in Wyandotte, which is just south of Detroit. He's friends with Bob Kuzava, the Wyandotte native whose big-league pitching career spanned over a decade. Kuzava was the man on the mound when the New York Yankees closed out World Series championships in 1951 and 1952. Mierkowicz ended up playing only 35 major league games over four seasons with the Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.

Still, not many players can say they were in the game when their team won a World Series. At his home in a senior living community in suburban Detroit, he has a team picture of the 1945 Tigers. "God gave me the ability to play ball," he said. "Made a pretty good living. We didn't make a lot of money, but it was a lot of fun." Hank Greenberg in left field.

Mierkowicz was a 21-year-old rookie who had appeared in only 10 games during the regular season. "It was exciting," he said. "In fact, it was so exciting, I don't know what the hell was going on all the people going crazy." The first batter singled his way, but the final three outs came quickly after that. Mierkowicz said there was no wild, bubbly-filled celebration the way there would be these days. "They couldn't afford it," he said.

"They probably had a little drink or something like that, but it wasn't like now." Mierkowicz recalls fans waiting when the team took the train back to the Detroit area. He said there was a party at a hotel and he won a car in a raffle. He also speaks highly of Greenberg. "I was a rookie. The other guys sort of shunned the rookies," In 1960, fans rush toward the Pirates' Bill Mazeroski as he comes home on his Game 7 walk-off homer to win the Series vs.

the Yankees in Pittsburgh, harry harris associated press.