One curse ends and one offseason begins after an epic Game 7

There was a time when you could hardly score a run off the Cleveland Indians' pitching staff in this postseason. There was a time when Cleveland manager Terry Francona almost never lost a World Series game.

But that all changed the last few days as the Chicago Cubs' 108-year curse ended last night. Or more accurately early this morning. The Cubs beat the Indians 8-7 in 10 innings to win Game 7 of the World Series. They became the sixth team that was behind 3-1 in the series to win the last three games.

They became the first team to do so since the 1985 Kansas City Royals. They became the first team to do it by winning the last two games on the road since the 1979 Pirates did so at Memorial Stadium against the Orioles.

Game 7 featured drama on top of drama. And then more drama. Cubs manager Joe Maddon pitched reliever Aroldis Chapman when he probably didn't need to in Game 6 and then a tiring Chapman gave up three runs in the eighth of Game 7 as Cleveland tied the game 6-6. Maddon probably removed Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks too soon in Game 7. But they still won.

A 6-6 game went to the tenth and Chicago's Ben Zobrist doubled in a run for a 7-6 lead. A Miguel Montero single made it 8-6. Cleveland got one in the last of the 10th, but couldn't rally yet another time.

Cubs fans no longer have to curse a curse.

Memorial Stadium was once called the "World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum," but Wrigleyville probably made a run for the title the last few hours.

The 2016 postseason began with an extra-inning game, and we know what happened in that one. It ended with another extra-inning thriller. The Cubs began the year at 25-6 and looking like the best team in baseball. They ended it by winning three straight World Series games to finish what they started. They now have earned the title of the best team in baseball.

We saw a great Game 7. A great World Series. A great postseason. Lest anyone forget for a second why we love baseball, we all know now.

On the O's front: The Orioles have nine free agents that can be signed by any team when the free agent marketplace opens in five days. Which, if any of the group of nine, should be back? Which will be back?

Pedro Alvarez
Michael Bourn
Brian Duensing
Tommy Hunter
Steve Pearce
Nolan Reimold
Drew Stubbs
Mark Trumbo
Matt Wieters