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.

Next up: History made

Everyone remembers how the 2016 season ended for the Cubs but do you remember how it began?

Joe Maddon’s bunch got out to a blistering start to the campaign, winning 25 of the first 31 games. The final win of the historic run came in an 8-7 victory over the San Diego Padres on May 10, 2016, which also marked the Cubs’ 8th straight win.

It was the best start in franchise history since the 1880 Chicago White Stockings began the year 27-3-1.

Jon Lester picked up the win in front of 34,680 people at Wrigley Field for a Tuesday night ballgame. The veteran southpaw notched a quality start, allowing 3 runs in 6 hits. His season ERA sat at 1.96 after this start in addition to a 4-1 record.

Ben Zobrist led the offensive assault with 4 hits, 3 runs scored and a pair of RBI. That upped his season batting line to .305/.424/.495 (.919 OPS).

Hector Rondon pitched a clean 9th inning for his 7th save in 7 chances to begin the year. He struck out 2 and lowered his season ERA to an eye-popping 0.73.

Fun Facts

—David Ross — the current Cubs manager and former Lester personal catcher — also had an RBI in the game, smacking a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 3rd inning to extend his team’s lead to 5-0.

—Kris Bryant also had a 2-run double in the 3rd inning as he marched toward his MVP campaign.

—Zobrist was in the midst of an unconscious run. During an 8-game hitting streak, he batted .448 with a 1.410 OPS, 11 runs and a whopping 17 RBI.

—Over a 26-game stretch in May of 2016, Zobrist notched a hit in 25 of 26 games. The only contest he did not hit safely in was an appearance off the bench on May 11.