Top 5 Players of the 2016 World Series

Originally published on Aug. 2, 2019

By Zane Miller

On Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland to win the 112th World Series four games to three. It was the third (and, as of this writing, most recent) World Series championship for the Cubs franchise to break a 108-year long championship drought, as well as the seventh that was won in Ohio. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #43 Josh Tomlin (Indians)- P

Tomlin earned player of the game honors in game three, pitching four and two-thirds innings while allowing no earned runs on two hits and one walk as the Indians won it 1-0.

4. #24 Dexter Fowler (Cubs)- CF

Fowler picked up player of the game honors in game seven, driving in one RBI with one run and three hits as the Cubs won 8-7 in 10 innings to claim the series championship.

3. #12 Kyle Schwarber (Cubs)- DH

Schwarber, recovering from a knee injury that cost him most of the 2016 regular season, returned in time for the playoffs to earn player of the game in game two, knocking in two RBIs with one run, two hits, and one walk as the Cubs claimed a 5-1 win.

2. #27 Addison Russell (Cubs)- SS

Russell claimed player of the game in game six, getting six RBIs with one run and two hits as the Cubs scored the 9-3 victory.

1. #34 Jon Lester (Cubs)- P

Lester pitched his way to player of the game honors in game five, going six innings with two earned runs allowed on just four hits and no walks as the Cubs picked up a 3-2 victory.

Players of the Game Breakdown:

 

Link to stats database: https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2016_WS.shtml