Cubs advance to NLDS; 9 arrested in Wrigleyville celebration
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Cubs fans are reveling in the team's National League Wild Card Game win in Pittsburgh and gearing up for the first ever Chicago Cubs- St. Louis Cardinals playoff series. The series starts Friday in St. Louis at 5:45 p.m.
The celebrations were mostly peaceful Wednesday night when thousands fans took the streets around Wrigley Field after the Cubs beat the Pirates, 4-0.
Cubs Win! Photos of players, fans celebrating
Only nine people were arrested, Chicago police said, on charges ranging from battery, reckless conduct, assault, retail theft and an outstanding warrant. Twelve citations- 10 for drinking in the public way and two for urinating in public- were issued.
Police shut down Clark Street so fans could celebrate. Some lingered until the early morning.
"We were out really late. It was crazy out here. Absolute madness. But I don't regret a second of it," said Kim Mulier, a Cubs fan.
From the hoopla of Wednesday night came the reality of the day after - early wake-up calls for shopkeepers hoping to maintain the money momentum.
"It's gonna be huge. When the Cubs do it, people will go crazy - this town will go crazy," said Steve Shavitz, Sportsworld.
Wrigleyville businesses are set to capitalize on the Cubs postseason.
"It's more people getting away from home, spending time out at local businesses, coming out to Wrigleyville from other neighborhoods. So it's a really great driver of the local economy here," said Lee Crandell, Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
CUBS TAKE ON CARDINALS IN NLDS
Friday's game is likely to attract a bigger crowd. Cubs President Theo Epstein compared the rivalry between Chicago and St. Louis to the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees rivalry. He called the Cardinals "formidable opponents." The players said the next few games will be more about work and not underestimating St. Louis.
"We have a long way to go. We haven't done anything yet. We have a tough opponent versus the Cardinals, but we'll be ready for them," said Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman.
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"Yeah, it's all about baseball. We're not talking about rivalries. We're talking about wins. We're trying to get 'W'," said David Ross, Cubs catcher.
The Cardinals had the best record in baseball this past season. The Cubs and Cardinals played 19 times in the regular season, with St. Louis winning 11 games.
Here's how Cubs fans will want to schedule the next week of their lives. Games 1 and 2 are in St. Louis. First pitch is at 5:45 p.m. Friday and at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Game 3 is Monday at Wrigley Field. Game 4, if necessary, will be Tuesday. If there's a Game 5, it will be on Thursday back in St. Louis.
Cubs and Cardinals fans can expect a greater police presence, according to the St. Louis police chief.
DEMAND GROWS FOR CUBS TICKETS, BBB WARNS OF FAKES
Steve Buzil, a ticket broker for SitClose.com, said there will be a lot of Cubbie blue in Busch Stadium this weekend. He said the calls to get tickets began early.
"I got emails, I got texts, phone calls, all hours of the night," Buzil said.
Buzil said standing room-only tickets for this weekend's games will cost fans around $150. They can nab seat in the upper deck for $160.
He said ticket prices increase considerably when the Cubs return home to Wrigley Field. Upper deck seats may go anywhere from $300-$400. Bleachers seats may cost upwards of $350.
"We are getting calls from all over the country right now, which is great. I believe you want to buy now and not wait because it's only going to get worse, not better, at the supply," Buzil said.
The demand for game tickets is going through the roof, but the Better Business Bureau is warning fans about fakes.
The BBB says counterfeits have become very convincing, and there's only one way to be sure you're getting the real thing.
"What we would suggest you do is go to ticket brokers who are licensed and regulated. Those are people that are authorized to sell those tickets," said Steve Bernas, Better Business Bureau.
The warning extends to jerseys and other memorabilia as well. The bureau says if the price seems cheap, it's probably fake.
