The Year I Fell in Love with Baseball: The 2016 Marlins and Cubs

Two of my favorite teams in MLB history came from the exact same season. Unsurprisingly, they also happen to involve my two favorite baseball teams: the 2016 Miami Marlins and the 2016 Chicago Cubs.

Even though these teams had completely different endings, both left a lasting impact on me as a baseball fan. One represented heartbreak and unrealized potential, while the other delivered one of the greatest stories in sports history.

2016 Miami Marlins

The 2016 Miami Marlins will always hold a special place in my heart because they were the team that truly got me invested in baseball. Out of every Marlins team since the 2003 World Series championship, this was the first one that genuinely made me believe Miami could make a serious playoff push and maybe even compete for a World Series.

For once, there was real hope surrounding the franchise.

Then tragedy struck.

On September 25, 2016, superstar pitcher Jose Fernandez tragically passed away in a boating accident during the final week of the regular season. Fernandez was only 24 years old and already looked destined to become one of baseball’s greatest pitchers. He remains my favorite athlete of all time. As someone with Cuban roots myself, I connected deeply with his story, his personality, his energy, and the joy with which he played the game.

His death shook not only the Marlins organization but the entire city of Miami and the baseball world as a whole. The team was never the same afterward.

What made that Marlins squad so exciting was the young talent everywhere on the roster. The outfield featured future NL MVPs Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich alongside 2016 All-Star Marcell Ozuna, forming one of the most talented young trios in baseball. The infield included future All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, power-hitting first baseman Justin Bour, speedy second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon, defensive shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, and veteran leader Martin Prado at third.

The roster also had plenty of memorable veterans and role players, including Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki during the final stretch of his legendary career. Players like Derek Dietrich, Miguel Rojas, Jeff Mathis, Jeff Francoeur, and others helped give the team personality and depth.

On the mound, Jose Fernandez led a pitching staff that included Wei-Yin Chen, Tom Koehler, Adam Conley, Justin Nicolino, and Andrew Cashner. A.J. Ramos had an All-Star season at closer, while relievers like David Phelps, Kyle Barraclough, Fernando Rodney, and Jose Urena helped keep the team competitive throughout the season.

The coaching staff, led by Don Mattingly, did an outstanding job developing and motivating a young roster. Barry Bonds, serving as hitting coach, also made the team feel even more unique and exciting. The only part of the organization that Marlins fans disliked was owner Jeffrey Loria and Marlins president David Samson.

Even though the Marlins ultimately missed the playoffs, they battled until the very end of the season. After Fernandez’s passing, the emotional weight became too much for the team to overcome, but their fight and resilience made that season unforgettable.

The 2016 Marlins made me feel every emotion possible as a sports fan. There was excitement, hope, heartbreak, and pride all packed into one season. More than anything, they are the reason I became a lifelong Marlins fan and truly fell in love with baseball.

2016 Chicago Cubs

The 2016 Chicago Cubs are not just my favorite version of the Cubs — they are probably the favorite Cubs team for the entire city of Chicago.

This was the team that finally broke the Billy Goat Curse and ended a 108-year World Series championship drought, delivering one of the most emotional moments in sports history.

The Cubs were loaded with talent, leadership, and personality. Anthony Rizzo became the emotional leader of the franchise, while Kris Bryant followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign by winning the 2016 NL MVP award. Their veteran pitching staff, featuring Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, and Jason Hammel, gave the team experience and toughness.

But what made the Cubs truly special was the entire cast around them.

Kyle Hendricks quietly led the league in ERA. Javier Baez emerged as one of the most electrifying young players in baseball. Ben Zobrist delivered clutch performances all postseason long and earned World Series MVP honors. Dexter Fowler brought consistency at the top of the lineup, while Kyle Schwarber’s return during the World Series became one of the most memorable comeback stories of the season.

Aroldis Chapman anchored the bullpen, Pedro Strop became a fan favorite, and Mike Montgomery forever etched his name into baseball history by recording the final out of Game 7.

Jason Heyward also deserves credit for delivering the famous rain delay speech before extra innings in Game 7 — a speech many players still credit as the moment that calmed the team down and helped them regroup.

Of course, the Cubs’ success extended far beyond the stars. Players like Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, Miguel Montero, Albert Almora Jr., Tommy La Stella, and Chris Coghlan all played important roles throughout the season.

Then there was the coaching staff.

Joe Maddon perfectly managed the personalities and pressure surrounding the team, while bench coach Dave Martinez later went on to win a World Series himself with the Washington Nationals. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer also deserve enormous credit for building the roster that finally changed Cubs history forever.

One thing that has made me appreciate that team even more recently is listening to “The Lovable Reunion” podcast hosted by Anthony Rizzo and David Ross. Hearing all the behind-the-scenes stories from the 2016 season makes the championship feel even more special.

One of the most memorable moments they discussed was Rajai Davis’ game-tying home run in the eighth inning of Game 7. Even some Cubs players admitted they started believing the curse might actually be real. Rizzo described the rain delay before the 10th inning as “the tears of past Cubs fans,” which perfectly captures how emotional that night felt.

Then came the final play.

The ground ball rolled toward Kris Bryant. He charged it, slipped slightly while throwing across the diamond, and somehow still delivered a perfect throw to Rizzo at first base. For a split second, it almost felt like the curse was about to strike again — but the ball landed safely in Rizzo’s glove, and 108 years of heartbreak instantly disappeared.

A decade later, that moment still feels euphoric.

Watching the streets of Wrigleyville erupt in celebration, seeing fans visit family members’ graves to celebrate with loved ones who never got to witness their team win a championship, and hearing about the nearly five million people who attended the parade showed just how much that title meant to the city of Chicago.

As a Cubs fan and simply a fan of baseball history, I feel lucky to witness it happen live.

What made that Cubs team so special was how lovable every player felt. They truly transformed the Cubs from the “Lovable Losers” into the “Lovable Winners.”

To this day, players from that team are treated like royalty in Chicago. Anthony Rizzo returning to sit in the Wrigley Field bleachers with fans after retirement perfectly represents the bond that team built with the city.

The history, emotion, and family-like atmosphere surrounding the Cubs are what made me fall in love with the franchise, especially the 2016 team.

The Teams That Made Me Love Baseball

The 2016 Miami Marlins and 2016 Chicago Cubs gave me some of the strongest emotions I have ever felt as a sports fan. One team taught me how heartbreaking baseball can be, while the other showed me how magical the sport becomes when history is finally rewritten.

Both teams played a huge role in making me fall in love with baseball, and because of that, they will always be my favorite versions of the Marlins and Cubs.