ST.LOUIS -- In the end, the Chicago Cubs' up-and-down 2017 season wasn’t all that unusual -- not for a World Series winner, at least.
By securing a return to the playoffs with their 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, the Cubs are the first reigning champion to even make the postseason the following year since 2012 (St. Louis), and first to win its division since 2009 (Philadelphia).
In other words, history tells us October baseball was no sure thing despite the expectations going into the season. The Cubs’ early struggles were not an indictment on their commitment or talent, but on the simple nature of baseball.