It seemed appropriate that John Lackey started for Chicago. Last August, the right-hander quipped: "I didn't come here for a haircut. I came here for the jewelry." He got his ring before heading to the bullpen to warm up for the game, played in chilly 45-degree weather. A total of 1,908 rings will be distributed to those connected with the Cubs -- fitting since 1908 was the last time the team won a World Series.
The wind was blowing out of the east at 14 mph, but that didn't matter to Toles, who drove a 2-0 pitch from Lackey into the wind to right field for his first career leadoff home run.