World Series Game 7: Heyward spurs Cubs to win over Indians with rain delay speech

Heyward had a tough year overall, but he contributed in other ways

CLEVELAND -- For the first time in 108 years, the Chicago Cubs are World Series champions. And leave it to one of their most maligned stars to still find a way to contribute, even if it wasn't on the field.

The Cubs bested the Indians in a thrilling Game 7 at Progressive Field on Wednesday night. It was truly one of the greatest games of all-time. That's not hyperbole.

Game 7 was also interrupted by rain, albeit briefly. One inning after Rajai Davis' dramatic game-tying home run, the sky opened up and the tarp had to be put on the field for 17 minutes after the ninth inning.

The rain delay really felt like a turning point in Game 7. The Indians were still riding high after the Davis home run, but the delay took all the buzz out of the crowd and brought the game to a standstill. If momentum exists, the Indians had it and the rain delay snuffed it right out.

During the delay, the Cubs were together in the Progressive Field weight room when Jason Heyward helped rally the team with a speech. Addison Russell said he and others were crying due to all the emotion in the room. Aroldis Chapman was reportedly among those with tears in his eyes.

"We all rallied around Aroldis and helped pick him up," Russell said. "We told him we were going to win, and we did."

To a man, the Cubs opted to keep the details of Heyward's speech private, but acknowledged it wasn't the first time he had pulled everyone together. Despite his on-field futility this season, Heyward has become an integral part of the team's clubhouse culture, and it was never more evident than in Game 7.

"I walk off and I see them all gathering in that little room down below there, and they had a meeting," manager Joe Maddon said. "I love when players have meetings, I hate when I do. So they had their meeting and the big part of it was, we don't quit. We don't quit."