[Nick Soulis]

Series #203



1996 Cleveland Indians
Record: 99-62
Finish: Lost in ALDS
Manager: Mike Hargrove
Ball Park: Jacobs Field
WAR Leader: Jim Thome (7.5)
Franchise Record: 8-7
1996 Season Record: 2-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996.shtml

1986 Chicago Cubs
Record: 70-90
Finish: 5th in NL East
Manager: Jim Frey
Ball Park: Wrigley Field
WAR Leader: Jody Davis (4.0)
Franchise Record: 10-6
1986 Season Record: 2-0
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1986.shtml
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Indian Strength Matches Any Era
Tribe Takes Care Of Cubs In 5 Scoring 30 Runs



Game 1
At Jacobs Field
1986 Chicago Cubs 3
1996 Cleveland Indians 4
WP: C. Nagy (1-0) LP: G. Hoffman (0-1) S: J. Mesa (1)
HR: R. Cey (1), J. Franco (1)
POG: Julio Franco (4-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
1996 Indians Lead Series 1-0

In a cool autumn evening under clear skies at Jacobs Field, the 1996 Cleveland Indians struck first in the Field of Dreams best-of-seven series, overcoming a sluggish start to defeat the 1986 Chicago Cubs 5-3. Veteran first baseman Julio Franco was the star of the night, delivering a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate with a solo home run and three singles, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Despite Dennis Eckersley’s strong outing—holding the Indians to one run through 6.2 innings—the game unraveled for Chicago when reliever Greg Hoffman surrendered three quick runs in the bottom of the seventh, capped by Franco’s two-run blast. Cleveland added insurance in the eighth with a double from Manny Ramirez, who plated another run with a sacrifice fly earlier. Charles Nagy earned the win with 7.1 innings of solid work, while José Mesa held off a late rally—including Ron Cey’s two-run homer in the eighth—for the save. With the win, Cleveland grabs a 1-0 series lead and sets the tone heading into Game 2.

Game 2
At Jacobs Field
1986 Chicago Cubs 2
1996 Cleveland Indians 6
WP: J. McDowell (1-0) LP: S. Sanderson (0-1)
HR: J. Thome (1), A. Belle (1)
POG: Jack McDowell (8.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB. 6 K, 125 P)
1996 Indians Lead Series 2-0

On a rainy October evening in Cleveland, the 1996 Indians took command of their Field of Dreams best-of-seven series, topping the 1986 Chicago Cubs 6–2 in Game 2 at Jacobs Field. Right-hander Jack McDowell was dominant, scattering five hits and striking out six over 8.1 innings to earn Player of the Game honors. Cleveland jumped ahead early, as Jim Thome crushed a solo home run in the first off Scott Sanderson, followed by a four-run outburst in the second that included doubles by Omar Vizquel, Manny Ramirez, and Eddie Murray. Albert Belle added a solo shot in the fifth, his second RBI of the series. Sanderson was tagged for six runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings, while Greg Maddux provided 3.2 scoreless innings of relief for the Cubs. Though Jody Mumphrey and Leon Durham drove in runs for Chicago, the offense failed to capitalize on key chances, stranding six runners. With the win, Cleveland seizes a 2–0 series lead as the series shifts to Wrigley Field for Game 3 on Friday, October 4th.

Game 3
At Wrigley Field
1996 Cleveland Indians 1
1986 Chicago Cubs 2
WP: S. Trout (1-0) LP: O. Hershiser (0-1) S: L. Smith (1)
HR: D. Lopes (1)
POG: Steve Trout (8 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 117 P)
1996 Indians Lead Series 2-1

Under the lights of a crisp October evening at Wrigley Field, the 1986 Chicago Cubs clawed their way back into the Field of Dreams best-of-seven series with a gritty 2-1 victory over the 1996 Cleveland Indians in Game 3. With the series on the line, left-hander Steve Trout delivered a vintage performance, tossing eight stellar innings while allowing just one run on six hits and striking out six. The Cubs, trailing 1-0 after a first-inning Kenny Lofton run, responded with back-to-back scoring frames in the second and third. Shawon Dunston drove in the tying run with a clutch two-out double, and veteran Davey Lopes followed with a solo homer in the third off Orel Hershiser to give Chicago the lead. Hershiser battled through six innings but took the loss despite solid numbers. Lee Smith sealed the deal with a scoreless ninth, retiring the side in order for the save. Though the Indians still lead the series 2-1, the Cubs’ home crowd of 38,893 left energized, as their team showed renewed life heading into Game 4 on Saturday.

Game 4
At Wrigley Field
1996 Cleveland Indians 6
1986 Chicago Cubs 4 (11 inn)
WP: J. Mesa (1-0) LP: L. Smith (0-1) S: D. Graves (1)
HR: K. Lofton (2), R. Cey (2)
POG: Kenny Lofton (3-6, 2 HR, 4 R, SB, 3 RBI)
1996 Indians Lead Series 3-1

With a dramatic 6-4 extra-inning victory in Game 4, the 1996 Cleveland Indians moved within one win of clinching the Field of Dreams Series #203 over the 1986 Chicago Cubs. In a contest filled with momentum swings and electric performances, Kenny Lofton stole the spotlight, going 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, four runs scored, and three RBIs. Lofton's solo shot in the third and a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth stunned the Wrigley faithful, who had seen their Cubs erase an early 2-0 deficit with a four-run fifth, highlighted by Ron Cey’s grand slam. But the Indians would not go quietly—Albert Belle delivered the dagger in the top of the 11th, lacing a two-run double off Lee Smith to break a 4-4 tie. The Cubs’ bullpen faltered late, while Cleveland’s pen, led by José Mesa and Danny Graves, held firm across five scoreless innings. With the win, Cleveland takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, leaving Chicago on the brink heading into Game 5.

Game 5
At Wrigley Field
1996 Cleveland Indians 12
1986 Chicago Cubs 1
WP: C. Nagy (2-0) LP: D. Eckersley (0-2)
HR: O. Vizquel (1), M. Ramirez (1), G. Matthews (1)
POG: Omar Vizquel (3-5, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, 2B)

On a crisp October night under the lights at Wrigley Field, the 1996 Cleveland Indians left no doubt about their mettle, thrashing the 1986 Chicago Cubs 12-1 in Game 5 to clinch the Field of Dreams series in dominant fashion. Powered by an explosive 20-hit performance and a sterling outing from Charles Nagy, the Indians set the tone early with a four-run first inning punctuated by Omar Vizquel’s three-run homer. Vizquel, who drove in five runs on the night, was named Player of the Game for his clutch bat and steady presence at shortstop. Manny Ramirez added a solo shot of his own in the fifth, while Julio Franco, Jim Thome, and Sandy Alomar Jr. combined for nine hits in a relentless Cleveland attack. Nagy pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run on Greg Matthews’ solo homer, while Dennis Martinez mopped up the final six outs. The Cubs, overwhelmed by Cleveland’s firepower, mustered only seven hits and were held scoreless in eight of nine frames. As fireworks lit up the Wrigley sky and Cleveland players celebrated in a euphoric dogpile near the mound, a historic win was sealed for the 1996 Indians — a complete team effort that culminated in a resounding victory.

1996 Cleveland Indians Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.417, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 3 2B, 2 SB, .477 OBP)