The Chicago Cubs Reunite with 2016 Glory, Igniting Ambition for 2026 Title
As the 2016 World Series champions walked into Wrigley Field's clubhouse on Thursday evening, their lockers were set up exactly as they had been during that championship season. The only difference? A beer fridge was noticeably absent, replaced by a bar next to Miguel Montero's locker. It was an eerie similarity to the post-game celebrations of old, where players would party in the clubhouse or at Jon Lester's house.
"It was honestly like we just won a playoff series," Anthony Rizzo said on Saturday during Cubs Convention. "That's what it felt like again... The families were there, the wives were there. The only thing different was the kids are 10 years older."
The reunion marked the 10-year anniversary of the team that ended the Cubs' 108-year championship drought in 2016. Coaches, staff, and front office members gathered with their families, minus Kris Bryant, Jake Arrieta, Jorge Soler, Tommy La Stella, and Hector Rondón.
A panel of retired players reminisced about that magical season during a packed ballroom ceremony. The party continued into the weekend, with the Cubs Convention's opening ceremony centered around the 2016 team. Jon Lester was inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame, and plans are underway to memorialize future World Series teams.
The event reignited an "itch" for the Cubs to win another championship in 2026. President Jed Hoyer acknowledged that the 2016 team set a high bar for expectations, saying, "It gives you the itch a little bit... We set the bar really high for the guys coming up."
For Rizzo and his teammates, there's still an unfulfilled desire to hoist the World Series trophy. "You're welcome," he quipped after a heartfelt panel discussion, to thunderous applause.
As the Cubs head into the 2026 season, there's renewed optimism in the air. The team has ended its playoff drought and is determined to go further this year. With the 2016 reunion as a reminder of what they can achieve, the Cubs are ready to make another push for greatness.
"It wouldn't be such a bad script to write if we do it 10 years apart," center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said, echoing Rizzo's sentiments about the allure of revisiting past glories.
As the 2016 World Series champions walked into Wrigley Field's clubhouse on Thursday evening, their lockers were set up exactly as they had been during that championship season. The only difference? A beer fridge was noticeably absent, replaced by a bar next to Miguel Montero's locker. It was an eerie similarity to the post-game celebrations of old, where players would party in the clubhouse or at Jon Lester's house.
"It was honestly like we just won a playoff series," Anthony Rizzo said on Saturday during Cubs Convention. "That's what it felt like again... The families were there, the wives were there. The only thing different was the kids are 10 years older."
The reunion marked the 10-year anniversary of the team that ended the Cubs' 108-year championship drought in 2016. Coaches, staff, and front office members gathered with their families, minus Kris Bryant, Jake Arrieta, Jorge Soler, Tommy La Stella, and Hector Rondón.
A panel of retired players reminisced about that magical season during a packed ballroom ceremony. The party continued into the weekend, with the Cubs Convention's opening ceremony centered around the 2016 team. Jon Lester was inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame, and plans are underway to memorialize future World Series teams.
The event reignited an "itch" for the Cubs to win another championship in 2026. President Jed Hoyer acknowledged that the 2016 team set a high bar for expectations, saying, "It gives you the itch a little bit... We set the bar really high for the guys coming up."
For Rizzo and his teammates, there's still an unfulfilled desire to hoist the World Series trophy. "You're welcome," he quipped after a heartfelt panel discussion, to thunderous applause.
As the Cubs head into the 2026 season, there's renewed optimism in the air. The team has ended its playoff drought and is determined to go further this year. With the 2016 reunion as a reminder of what they can achieve, the Cubs are ready to make another push for greatness.
"It wouldn't be such a bad script to write if we do it 10 years apart," center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said, echoing Rizzo's sentiments about the allure of revisiting past glories.
The 2016 Cubs are back and it feels like old times 
! I'm hyped for the 2026 season 
️ and hope they can bring home another championship 
. It's cool that they're keeping the memories alive with the reunion 
. Anthony Rizzo is speaking my language when he says the itch to win again is strong 
. Can you imagine having Jon Lester in the Hall of Fame? Legendary guy! 
The Cubs Convention was lit 
and it's clear the team is hungry for more 
️. Pete Crow-Armstrong's sentiment on revisiting past glories is spot on 
. Here's to the Cubs making another run at greatness 
I think its awesome that the Cubs are reuniting with their 2016 glory days! Like, who wouldn't want to relive those magic moments? 
but at the same time, there's this huge pressure to live up to what those guys accomplished 10 years ago 
still got my hopes up for the cubs this season though 
maybe they'll make some new memories and write a new chapter in their history 
. He's not just saying stuff for the sake of it; he genuinely feels like they're reliving those championship moments all over again 
.
. With Kris Bryant and some other key players missing, it's like they're coming from a different generation altogether 
. How will that impact their approach to the game? Will they try to follow in the footsteps of their 2016 brethren or forge their own path? That's what I'm excited to see play out 
. The Cubs are ready to make another push for greatness, and with this reunion as a reminder, anything seems possible 
. It's just a fancy way for them to rub it in our faces that they're still trying to recapture the magic of 2016 
. The clubhouse is set up exactly the same, it's like they're trying to recreate the past instead of moving forward 
. And don't even get me started on the beer fridge being replaced with a bar... who does that? 
It's just a bunch of nostalgia for people who weren't even around back then 
.
10 years is a long time, and things are bound to change. It's not like the 2016 team was a fluke 
. Can't they just focus on winning the next game instead of making it about the family drama? 
.
... like it's a physical sensation you can feel in your stomach. but seriously, this is what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. it's about leaving everything on the field, no matter what the outcome.
. but hey, that's what makes this season so exciting - will they be able to make history again? only time will tell 
. The kids are gonna learn from those legends and it's gonna be epic 
it was like stepping back in time. The way they set up everything exactly as it was 10 years ago is just mind-blowing... it's clear that team has some serious nostalgia vibes going on 
And I love how Rizzo and the others are already itching for another championship, they’re like, “Hey, we set the bar high, but we can do it again” 
it was so cool to see them all reunited at wrigley field, it felt like old times 
. and omg, pete crow-armstrong is literally the best 
. Bring on 2026!
I'm loving how the Cubs are like "Hey, remember that one time we won the whole thing? We're gonna do it again... maybe". 
It's like the ultimate baseball soap opera! The 2016 team might have set a high bar, but hey, as Rizzo said, "You're welcome"... yeah right, you're welcome to all the hype and pressure now 
.
. It must be pretty cool for them to see how things have changed, yet still feel like that championship season is still part of their lives 
. But at the same time, it's also kinda like, "Hey, don't put too much pressure on yourselves! You gotta win this one for yourself 
".