When was the last World Series Game 7?

With the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians set to play Game 7, now’s a good time to remember the last time there was a seventh game in a World Series.

The Chicago Cubs vs. the Cleveland Indians is one of the best World Series we could’ve asked for. Not only is it a series between the two longest droughts in the MLB, it’s got plenty of fascinating storylines.

For the first four games, it looked like the Indians would successfully shut down Chicago’s power hitting, as they have all postseason long. And while the Cubs have the better rotation, the Indians are in the World Series because of their bullpen. Not to mention the question of who would out-manage the other in Terry Francona and Joe Maddon.

Despite facing a 3-1 deficit, the Cubs forced a Game 7, proving that they can never be counted out. This series has given us everything so far, so it’s only right that we will get a winner-take-all game. While it is a staple of a great series, we’ve rarely seen it in recent memory.

Only three World Series have gone to a Game 7 in the last 15 years and the last one, in 2014, was the first one since 2002. But it was a game to remember. The San Francisco Giants, looking to continue the even-year trend, faced the Kansas City Royals who came out of nowhere and captured everyone’s imaginations.

It was a tense game throughout, but once the Giants took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning, Bruce Bochy brought out Madison Bumgarner, who came out of the bullpen on short rest. Bumgarner would go on to allow two hits over five innings, and at one point retired 14 batters in a row. Their only hope to tie it came when Alex Gordon finally broke through with one out left, but decided to stay at third rather than charge home. Salvador Perez had to bring Gordon in, but popped out.

Bumgarner’s five-inning save was the longest in World Series history, and it only added to his growing legend as one of the best playoff pitchers of all time. His heroics won him the World Series MVP, and he was also named SI’s Sportsman of the Year. It truly was one of those great “where were you when” moments.

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The worst thing about this World Series is that someone has to lose it. If the Cubs win, Cleveland will probably never make 3-1 jokes ever again. But if the Indians win, the Billy Goat curse will live on. This will surely be one of the most highly anticipated World Series games of all time.