he returned to Italy to attend to a family matter. The 37-y

At long, long last, its true: Either the Chicago Cubs or Cleveland Indians will win the World Series.The matchup between teams that forever waited till next year -- next century, really -- is finally here.A classic Fall Classic, for sure.Do-it-all Javier Baez, flashy Francisco Lindor, MVP caliber Kris Bryant and a bevy of young stars. Lights-out relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, and wily skippers Joe Maddon and Terry Francona.Plus, intrigue if injured All-Star starter Danny Salazar and slugger Kyle Schwarber can play.Oh, and did someone mention something about a drought?Game 1 is at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.In the Cubs last visit to Cleveland, back in August 2015, they posted a 17-0 rout for the most-lopsided shutout ever in interleague play. It got so out of hand two Indians outfielders wound up pitching.But thats ancient history.For the Cubbies, this is their first World Series trip since 1945 and a chance to win their first crown since 1908.They clinched their spot Saturday night at Wrigley Field, with big league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks outpitching Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw for a 5-0 win in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.Favorites since opening day, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and past October aces Jon Lester and John Lackey helped the Cubs cruise to a major league-leading 103 victories.Now, theyre ready to sweep aside the Curse of the Billy Goat and the specter of Steve Bartman. And make up for the near-misses by Cubs greats such as Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Billy Williams.Obviously we know that its something thats going to be talked about with the history of the organization, pitcher Jake Arrieta said.But its really not something we focus on at all. So we just kind of disregard it and go out and play, he said.The Indians also a past full of failure and frustration.In 1997, Cleveland was three outs from winning its first championship since 1948 when closer Jose Mesa blew a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 at Florida. An error by sure-handed second baseman Tony Fernandez doomed them in the 11th.Earlier this year, LeBron James and the Cavaliers turned Cleveland into Believeland by rallying to win the NBA title. James has been loudly cheering for the Indians to bring another championship to the city.Steady Jason Kipnis, jolly Mike Napoli and likely Game 1 starter Corey Kluber starred as the surprising Indians won the AL Central, then breezed by Boston and Toronto in the playoffs.The Indians did it despite a thinning rotation. Salazar hasnt pitched since early September because of a forearm problem, Carlos Carrasco got his hand broken by a line drive and Trevor Bauer cut his pinkie playing with a drone.Even though the clubs hold spring training about 30 miles apart in Arizona, they dont overlap a lot.Theyve never played in the postseason and are just 9-9 against each other in interleague action.Miller and Chapman, however, were teammates this season in the New York Yankees bullpen before they both got traded in late July.Francona and current Cubs architect Theo Epstein spent even more time together. In 2004, they teamed up as the Red Sox ended a World Series championship drought dating to 1918 -- when Boston beat the Cubs, by the way.Soon, another city will be celebrating. Maybe next week, maybe next month, with Game 7 scheduled for Nov. 2.A pair of big cities, one on Lake Michigan, the other on Lake Erie, waiting ... and hoping to end the wait.On deck: Great Lakes, great stakes. Cody Bellinger Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Russell Martin Jersey . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-hyun-jin-ryu-jersey/ . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Corey Seager Jersey . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Ross Stripling Dodgers Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact added a second designated player Tuesday with the signing of Argentine midfielder Hernan Bernardello. The Major League Soccer club did not disclose contract details. Bernardello, who turns 27 on Aug. 3, is known as a mainly defensive midfielder who is also a strong passer. He joins Italian striker Marco Di Vaio, who will earn $1.9 million this season, as the teams second designated player. "We are very pleased to have finalized the acquisition of a player who has played at the highest levels," Impact sporting director Nick De Santis said in a statement. "He fits in well with the identity of the club and we believe he will play an important role for us moving forward. "Hernan has consistently played between 25 and 30 games a season over his career. He is a player with great quality in midfield that covers a lot of ground, all while displaying great technical skills and great ability to relaunch attacks. He plays the game with a lot of passion and emotion." The deal will be finalized when Bernardello receives his international transfer certificate. Earlier on Tuesday, fullback Hassoun Camara welcomed the teams plan to add a top talent. The Impact has a busy schedule ahead both in Major League Soccer and the CONCACAF Champions League. "If he comes it will be good for us," said Camara. "It shows the ambition we have to do well in the league and to have other weapons in our arsenal for the league championship and the Champions League." The Impact is tied for second in the MLS Eastern Conference, with games in hand on its closest rivals. Montreal is four points behind first-place Kansas City, who it faces in its next match Saturday night at Saputo Stadium. Montreal qualified for the Champions League by winning the Amway Canadian Championship earlier this season. The first game is seet for Aug.dddddddddddd7 at home against the San Jose Earthquakes. There was concern Bernardello may displace all-star Patrice Bernier, who plays in the defensive midfield spot. The Brossard, Que., native said he would wait and see what coach Marco Schallibaum decides to do with the lineup. "Well see once he gets here what the coach decides and what the new scheme will be," said Bernier. "Are we going to play the same system, or have players in different positions? We dont know." Schallibaum would not comment until the player officially joined the club. MLS teams are allowed up to three DPs at a time. A designated player can be paid more than the maximum under the salary cap, with only US$368,750 counting against the cap. Former Bologna striker Di Vaio joined as Montreals first DP midway through the its expansion season in 2012. Di Vaio missed the Impacts 0-0 draw on Saturday night with FC Dallas when he returned to Italy to attend to a family matter. The 37-year-old was back at practice Tuesday. "Its a pity when Marco cant play," said Schallibaum. "We needed him Saturday. "Daniele (Paponi) and Andrew (Wenger) did well, but maybe (missing) Marcos experience was the difference. But Im happy hes back and also that he has good news from his family." Bernardello began his pro career with Newells Old Boys in his home town of Rosario, Argentina before moving to Almeria in the Spanish league for three seasons. He was loaned to Atletico Colon, one of Argentinas top teams, last season. The five-foot-nine Bernardello played once for his country in 2009. He will be the second Argentine on the roster after midfielder Andres Romero. Another midfielder from that country, Maximiliano Rodriguez, has been placed on the long-term injury list. The Impact has 11 spots for foreign players filled on its roster. ' ' '