Cleveland illustrator Chris Morris took in the experience with fans at Quicken Loans Arena, where LeBron James' Cavaliers were handing out championship rings and raising a banner, and Progressive Field, where the Indians were kicking off a quest to win their first World Series since 1948. Here's what he saw:
The Champ arrives
Cleveland's Stipe Miocic was spotted decked out in CLE attire at about 5:30 p.m. before the Cavaliers' opener against the Knicks. Miocic, who grew up Euclid, Ohio, and played college baseball at Cleveland State, won the city's first title this year, handing Fabricio Werdum his first loss since 2011 to claim the UFC heavyweight championship in May. He made the city's first successful defense of his title this year, too, defeating Alistair Overeem last month.
Taking a shine to the trophy
Ted Beard and his son Maddux from Strongsville, Ohio, were part of a huge line of fans outside the Q waiting to take photos next to a huge replica of the NBA championship trophy.
A banner day
After the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy was wheeled out, surrounded by championship rings, there was a short ceremony to hand them out to players and coaches. Then, at about 7:20 p.m., the Cavaliers' banner emerged, raised out of a box with the city's skyline on it. Several players walked over and touched the banner for one last time before it ascended to the rafters to the tune of Queen's "We Are The Champions."
Teddy's history lesson
Chicago native Joe Wiegand, a Theodore Roosevelt "reprisor," entertained the crowd outside Progressive Field with tales of life from 1908, the year of last Cubs World Series title. Never out of character, he bellowed "walk softly and carry a big BAT!"
A little trash-talking
Two Indians fans with faces painted like baseballs call themselves the Wahoo Brothers. At 6 p.m. they were entertaining Cleveland fans and irritating those from Chicago, holding a sign advising Cubs fans to "Fly the L."
Early returns
Danny Jenks, left, and his brother Joe from Macedonia, Ohio, celebrate a Francisco Lindor single in the first inning as they watch the game in the Right Field District at Progressive Field.
The Cubs faithful
Mike Ryder, left, and Scott Deininger drove over from Chicago for Game 1. It was the friends' first visit to Progressive Field and they were pleasantly surprised at how friendly they'd been treated. At this point of the game, however, the Indians were maintaining a 3-0 lead and their concern was growing.
He went all out -- almost
Bradley Siedle wore a full Joe Maddon uniform (down to the blue baseball hose) except for a pair of boat shoes. Siedle, from St. Louis, came to Cleveland for a couple of days. He said he grew up in a household of Cardinals fans and is the only brother who followed the Cubs. He proudly declares it's not the only sports rivalry with his family. "I hate Duke," he says. "Put that in there. All my brothers love Duke."
Family ties
Texans Rodger and Joy Jones have a special connection to the Indians -- Rodger's father, Harry, was a sportswriter in Cleveland and later the voice of the team on TV. Rodger still wears his father's World Series championship ring from 1948.
Standing watch
Deputy Jake Smith and his German shepherd, Flako, have worked every Indians home game this season. Flako, 3½, is an explosives detection dog, one of many at each home game.
Santa's still confident
As the game wound down, by 11:08 p.m. a dejected but confident "Santa Cub" O'Dinger said "the Tribe will probably take this one but we'll still win the Series." He became a little more jolly, declaring that because it's a battle of two long-suffering fanbases, it would be a happy ending either way.
All smiles in Cleveland
After Roberto Perez hit his second home run of the game in the eighth inning -- a three-run blast -- Kirah Jefferson and Brendan Nichols beamed. The Tribe's 6-0 victory capped a historic sports day in Cleveland.
