The Watch The Fourth Body Onlinelast game of David Ross' career was not off to a good start.
The Chicago Cubs backup catcher — who announced he would retire after this season — entered Game 7 of the World Series in the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Cubs leading 5-1. Moments later, he made a throwing error that put two Cleveland Indians on base, a play that should have ended the inning. Both Indians scored on the next at-bat when Cubs pitcher Jon Lester threw one past Ross.
The 39-year-old journeyman watched his team's lead shrink to 5-3. He was partly to blame.
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But Ross didn't wait long to redeem himself.
In the next half-inning, he smashed a solo home run, recovering one of the runs he cost his team. He's the oldest player in history to hit a home run in Game 7 of the World Series.
David Ross' solo homer to center gives the #Cubs a 6-3 lead in the 6th inning! #GoCubsGo #FlyTheW #GrandpaRossy #WorldSeries #Game7 pic.twitter.com/oOZwbcHFIq
— Chicago Cubs (@ChatCubs) November 3, 2016
The story is even sweeter, considering this winner-take-all Game 7 is the last game of Ross' career.
And he isn't even known for his bat.
In fact, Ross is a career .229 hitter who spent most of the past 14 years as a backup. The Cubs signed Ross in 2014 largely for his abilities as a clubhouse leader. He is one of the most respected players in the game, and brought a steady veteran presence to a Cubs squad full of twentysomethings.
Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Ross' final season in the bigs has been a #YearLongRetirementParty, a phrase coined by teammates Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. In a season full of standing ovations, goodbyes and gifts for Ross, this home run has to be the cherry on top.
Well, a World Series ring sounds pretty good, too.
