Both literally and figuratively, David Ross went out on top.
No matter the result, Wednesday night’s World Series Game 7 would be the final game of Ross’ career, as the Chicago Cubs catcher said he’s retiring after the 2016 season. But Ross made sure it was a memorable one.
TheĀ 39-year-old made right on a pair of defensive miscues by hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning — off Cleveland Indians ace reliever Andrew Miller, no less — to become the oldest player ever to homer in Game 7 of a World Series.
The Cubs hung on to win 8-7 in 10 innings, ending their 108-year championship drought and letting Ross retire a champion. After the final out, though, things got poetic: Near the end of Ross’ emotional interview with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, his teammates literally swept him off his feet and carried him off the field for a fitting send-off.
He goes out a winner. @Cubs' players carry @D_Ross3 on their shoulders as he goes out a CHAMPION. #WorldSeries https://t.co/WXqT6eDFuM
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 3, 2016
It doesn’t get much better than that.
Of course, this wasn’t Ross’ first World Series title — the veteran catcherĀ served as Jon Lester’s batterymate on the Boston Red Sox’s 2013 World Series team. But that didn’t stop “Grandpa Rossy” from capping the night off with a perfect tweet.
Look what the boys got me for my retirement pic.twitter.com/wtnE2WrWYV
— David Ross (@D_Ross3) November 3, 2016
How’s that for a storybook ending?
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images