Five years ago, the Cubs embarked on a historic journey that will go down as one of the most impactful seasons in professional sports.

Throughout 2021, we’re taking a look back at some of the best moments from the incredible 2016 campaign.

First up: Opening Day

Jake Arrieta made his return to Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon but almost exactly five years before that, he took the ball as the Cubs made their first step toward their mission of winning the World Series.

Arrieta was the Opening Day starter in 2016 as the Cubs traveled to Anaheim to take on the Angels. He threw a masterpiece, striking out 6 in 7 shutout innings as the Cubs won 9-0.

Miguel Montero started behind the dish for the Cubs and hit a 2-run homer to lead the offense. Dexter Fowler had 3 hits and scored 3 runs from the leadoff spot.

Here’s the way the Cubs lined up that day:

1. Dexter Fowler – CF
2. Jason Heyward – RF
3. Ben Zobrist – 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo – 1B
5. Kris Bryant – 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber – LF
7. Jorge Soler – DH
8. Miguel Montero – C
9. Addison Russell – SS

Notable

—It was Heyward’s Cubs debut and he went 1-for-5 with a double.

—Bryant walked twice, drove in a run on a groundout and scored a pair of runs in the first game of his MVP season.

—Justin Grimm and Travis Wood each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Arrieta.