Fans share what Cubs World Series win means to them

CHICAGO (WLS) -- For the first time in Wrigley Field's history, the marquee read "World Series Champions" - and thousands of fans couldn't pass up the photo opp.

Cubs faithful of all ages flocked to the Friendly Confines Thursday to celebrate the team's first World Series win since 1908.

Whether they came from across the city or the country, fans were eager to share what made this long-awaited moment so special.

Sharon Rossi - Ontario, Canada

"After I watched the game last night, I couldn't get to Chicago fast enough. I hopped a train. I got off at 7 o'clock this morning and here I am. My daughter used to live just down the street and we used to come this way and just get in the excitement of everything. So I thought, for God sakes, of all the times I've been here, I certainly had to be here today," Rossi said.

Ken Turner Jr. and his father, Ken Turner Jr. - Ann Arbor, MI and Geneseo, IL

"I'm 86, and I've been a fan for 86 years. When I was born, I was christened a Cub. But I had given up. I knew all the concession speeches, but I didn't know how to make a victory speech," Turner Sr. said.

"The Cubs had to do it the hard way. We were up early, they tied it up. It had to be difficult. That's what being a Cubs fan is all about, right?" Turner Jr. said.

John O'Malley and his 9-year-old twins, Sean and Tommy - Lemont, IL

"I can't believe it, it's like a joke! I'm only 9 years old, it's been like a really long time. It's the first time I've ever seen the Cubs get in to the World Series and they win it!" Sean O'Malley said.

Tom and Nancy Bassford - Overland Park, KS

"We're from Kansas City, and we won last year. I'm the Royals fan, he's the Cubs fan. So I'm passing the torch to my husband," Nancy Bassford said.

"I wanted to be in Wrigleyville when they won. I'm a diehard Cubs fan and I've had my heart broken enough. I wanted to be able to say that when they won the World Series, I was as close to Wrigley Field as I could get. And there's no place I'd rather have been than right here when they got that final out," Tom Bassford said.

Patricia and Charlemagne Payne - Chicago

"It's hard to even put in words how deeply it's felt. We have so much crime and killings. The city needed something, and the Cubs gave it to us. To bring us together, to let us know we're all still here and we all still love each other. We're all sports fans forever. Chicago really needed this. I thank the Cubs, I really do," Patricia Payne said.

John Gekas with 4-year-old son Drake and parents Chris and Markie Gekas - Chicago

"There's such a collective bond I think among Cubs fans - both people who grew up with it and those who come to the city and adopt the team - that really just transcends so many different things. It surpasses, I think, other sports fandoms. There's just really nothing like it," John Gekas said.

"It's not exactly a cult. It's not exactly a religion. It is an obsession, I think. When you talk to people around the country they just don't understand: what is it with you guys that you went through all these years?" Chris Gekas said.

Amy Quirk and her mother, Susan Quirk - Posen, IL

"We needed to put my brother on the wall. He died two years ago, and our last outing was on Opening Day. He died three days later. He was a big fan and he had the best seat in the house, I'm sure," Amy Quirk said.

Lea Richards, with husband Todd and 3-month-old son Jacob - Chicago

"I couldn't let it pass. I wanted to be part of history, and so I wanted to be here - especially with Jacob. I'm just so excited for the fans, just in general. I'm even emotional - and I'm a Sox fan! But I'm emotional just seeing the Cubs fans who have been waiting this long for this day," Richards said.

Carla Hannon and friend Donna Braden - Chicago

"I had to be here, win or lose. But I woke up this morning and I was like, 'Is this real?' It still hasn't sunk in," said Carla Hannon, who also was celebrating her birthday along with the Cubs win.

Gina Crittenden with her mother, Ilse Garcia - Chicago

"My grandparents, their unit was on the top level and we used to watch all the games with my grandfather. And then we would run over and watch them raise the W flag because he had a clear view from his living room of the scoreboard and the flag. We just bleed Cubbie blue because it's in our blood, it's in our family, we're die-hard fans. Last night was just amazing. We've been waiting for this, seriously, for our entire lives," Crittenden said.