World Series report

Cubs get hyped up on Rocky

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo shows off his quick hands after hitting a double during the fourth inning Sunday in Game 5 of the World Series in Chicago.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo shows off his quick hands after hitting a double during the fourth inning Sunday in Game 5 of the World Series in Chicago.

They do not play in Philadelphia and they do not profile as scrappy underdogs. But on Sunday night, just before the Cubs took the field to save their season, the ballpark's loudspeakers blasted "Going the Distance" from "Rocky."

Unbeknownst to the 41,711 fans preparing for Game 5 at Wrigley Field, first baseman Anthony Rizzo demanded that every television in the Cubs' clubhouse show Rocky I, Rocky II, Rocky III and Rocky IV, all at the same time. And when this wasn't enough to ease the tension before facing elimination, veteran catcher David Ross said Rizzo was spotted "running around, jumping around, half naked, doing boxing moves."

"I wanted to let everyone know that we're planning to go the distance," Rizzo said, quoting one of the film's iconic lines, shortly after the Cubs forced a sixth game in this World Series. "Obviously, there's a lot more that goes into that. But we've bought in. And we believe in it."

Rizzo walked to the plate to music from "Rocky," then used the aftermath of a third-inning double to drive home his point. Upon reaching second, Rizzo popped out of his slide, crouched into a boxing stance, and fired a three-punch combination into the crisp night air. Then, he looked to his dugout and screamed "Let's go!"

In that moment, Rizzo personified a team that became more emboldened after a 3-2 victory over the Indians, a victory that assured that the Cubs will play in Cleveland tonight. At no point this season had the Cubs been more vulnerable to unraveling under the pressure, yet they further assured themselves that there's still time to slug their way out of a corner.

"You keep adding to your resume of things you have to deal with mentally, what you go through, and how you prepare and go about your business on the field," Ross said. "The more that gets thrown on these guys' shoulders ... they seem to answer the bell."

The Cubs utilized slogans throughout their 103-victory season, mostly motivational messages to combat the negativity that comes with a championship drought that stretches back to 1908.

Manager Joe Maddon speaks of "Embracing The Target," and it's easy to spot shirts here that read "Make Someday Today" or "Try Not To Suck."

"We have a T-shirt for everything," Kris Bryant said jokingly, earlier this postseason.

Though they still face long odds, the Cubs sent the proceedings back to Cleveland, where they maintain at least a puncher's chance of winning this World Series.

Said Rizzo: "We've got to go the distance."

Ratings surprise

A close game with the Cubs on the brink of postseason elimination proved to be a ratings blockbuster for Major League Baseball Sunday night.

Game 5 of the World Series averaged 15.3 percent of homes in major markets on Fox, a number that surprised most ratings experts and easily defeated "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, which averaged an 11.6 overnight rating.

The fact the football game was close, too, and featured the ratings-friendly Cowboys against the Eagles, made the baseball figure even more impressive.

According to Sports Media Watch, the 15.3 overnight rating was the best for any non-Game 7 World Series game since Game 6 of the Yankees-Phillies series in 2009 (15.4) and best for a Game 5 since the Yankees-Marlins series in 2003 (15.4).

With no NFL competition tonight, Game 6 figures to be a massive ratings hit for MLB.

Robinson's return

The Cleveland Indians will have a personal piece of their past at Game 6.

Eddie Robinson, the last living member from Cleveland's 1948 World Series title team, will be at Progressive Field on Tuesday night as the Indians try to win their first championship in 68 years.

Robinson, 95, was the starting first baseman on the 1948 team, which featured Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, Larry Doby, who broke the AL color barrier, shortstop/manager Lou Boudreau and pitcher Bob Lemon.

Robinson is making the trip from Fort Worth, Texas, to see the Indians try to close out the Chicago Cubs. He batted .300 with six hits in the 1948 Series and drove in Cleveland's fourth run in Game 6 when the Indians beat the Boston Braves to win the championship.

Taking a sick day

John Dankanich's plan for the week became a busy one after the Chicago Cubs staved off elimination by beating Cleveland on Sunday.

Dankanich said he planned to drive home to Alabama from Wrigley Field, take his son trick-or-treating on Monday, watch Game 6 on tonight and then get back in his car to drive to Cleveland to see Game 7.

He has already bought his ticket for a Wednesday night game he is positive will happen.

"They're going to win and I'm going to Cleveland," said Dankanich, 38, as he drove south to Huntsville on Monday after attending Sunday night's 3-2 victory by the Cubs that trimmed Cleveland's Series lead to 3-2.

By Monday, it was becoming clear that Dankanich will have plenty of company.

Cameron Popp of StubHub said that about 27 percent of the tickets being sold on the website for the next two games are associated with Illinois ZIP codes. And many expect some empty seats at Chicago-area workplaces the next couple of days.

"They're working on their coughs today," said Ed Koenig, a longtime fan who won't be making the trip east to Cleveland, but suspects many fans will use their best sick voice with their bosses, hang up and head to Cleveland.

The Cubs won at least three games in a row 16 times during the regular season and they will have to do that to win their first Series since 1908.

Sports on 11/01/2016

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