LOOK: The cover the New York Times was going to run had Cubs lost the World Series

Newspapers had to be ready in case the Indians won the World Series

For the first time in 108 years, the Chicago Cubs are World Series champions. They beat the Cleveland Indians a thrilling Game 7 last Wednesday. Five million people attended the Cubs' World Series parade.

In this line of work, reporters usually don't have the luxury of time when it comes to games like Game 7. They have deadlines to meet, which often means writing two stories at the same time. One in case the Cubs win, and another in case the Indians win.

This also applies to the folks who prepare cover art. The graphics people had to be ready with a design in case the Indians won Game 7. After all, Cleveland held a 3-1 series lead at one point. That gave everyone in the business an opportunity to work ahead on things.

Via Wayne Kamidoi, here's the cover the New York Times was planning to run had the Cubs lost Game 7 to extend their World Series drought to 109 years.

Gosh, that's really good. Don't miss LeBron James and Tom Hanks in the stands heckling the players. Hanks spent time working in Cleveland back in the 1970s, and last month he yelled out "Go Tribe!" while signing off following an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Here is Kamidoi on the creative process behind the cover:

The art department's wheels started turning when Sam Roberts, an obits reporter, reminded the Sports desk that Norman Rockwell had painted a memorable scene of the dejected Cubs called "The Dugout" for The Saturday Evening Post. Coincidentally, it was published in 1948 -- the last time the Indians won the World Series.

Soon, Andrea Zagata, a staff designer, was off and running. She asked Robert Carter, a freelance illustrator, to create an image that would lead the Sports section front when the Indians won the World Series. She instructed him to modernize the players (the Cubs' Kyle Schwarber, Manager Joe Maddon, Jake Arrieta, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant) and the heckling fans (LeBron James and Tom Hanks).

True story: I had a "San Diego Chargers Super Bowl XXIX Champions" shirt way back in the day. The Chargers, of course, lost Super Bowl XXIX to the San Francisco 49ers. I got the shirt from a friend, whose father owned a sports memorabilia shop.

Somewhere out there are "Cleveland Indians 2016 World Series Champions" shirts.