It was only later that the gravity — and the finality — of the moment sank in.

“After the World Series and you see the highlights, now you realize that you were the last out,” Flores said. “Every time they show that out, I’m there. Everybody’s going to watch that highlight a lot.”

Martinez smiled when asked if he felt better knowing that so many distinguished players had also made the last out of the World Series.

“Of course,” he said. “Then you know you’re not the only one.”

Martinez’s path to that night in Cleveland was a serpentine one. He did not sign a professional baseball contract until he was nearly 24 — and after he had given up professional basketball. He had played one season in the Dominican professional league as a point guard on a team that included Tito Horford, the father of Boston Celtics forward Al Horford.

He then spent five years in Washington’s farm system before the Phillies picked him in the 2010 Rule 5 draft; he made his major league debut with them the next season. He wound his way to Cleveland in 2015, but was designated for assignment last July and picked up by Boston, which also designated him for assignment less than a month later. That’s when the Indians scooped him back up.

Martinez had recorded only three at-bats in the playoffs last season — striking out in each one — when he entered Game 7 of the World Series as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning with the score tied.

When Jason Heyward stole second and advanced to third on catcher Roberto Perez’s errant throw with one out, Indians Manager Terry Francona removed left fielder Coco Crisp, who has a weak throwing arm, and slid right fielder Brandon Guyer over to left. The strong-armed Martinez was inserted in right field. His arm would not be needed — the inning ended after Javier Baez fouled off a bunt attempt with a full count and Dexter Fowler grounded out — but his bat would be.

The Cubs scored twice in the top of the 10th inning to take an 8-6 lead and then called on reliever Carl Edwards for the bottom of the inning. He retired the first two hitters he faced but walked Guyer — who advanced to second on defensive indifference — and gave up a single to Rajai Davis, cutting the lead to 8-7.