Cubs thank dedicated fans, celebrate remarkable season

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Cubs will not head to the World Series after an 8-3 loss Wednesday night to the New York Mets in NLCS Game 4. But the team, the city and fans are still celebrating a remarkable season.

On Thursday, the team cleaned out their lockers after a beyond-expectation, 97-win regular season and thanked its dedicated fans with a message on the marquee outside Wrigley Field.

During a press conference , Chicago Cubs Manager Theo Epstein said the team will continue to work with its young players, including rising star Kyle Schwarber.

"They are going to come back extremely hungry and extremely focused and in great shape and ready to take this to the next level," Epstein said.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel congratulated the Cubs on a great season Wednesday night.

"On behalf of the City of Chicago, I want to congratulate the Chicago Cubs on a thrilling 2015 season. From Manager Joe Maddon to the entire roster and front office staff, the Cubs gave our city a season full of great memories and provided a glimpse of more excitement to come in the years ahead. I am proud of what they achieved on the field this year and am looking forward to opening day next April," Emanuel said.

Aaron Wolf, an 85-year-old Cubs fan, said the game was hard to watch, but he was still proud to be able to watch in person at Wrigley Field. He was in the stands for Game 7 of the 1945 World Series when the Cubs played against the Detroit Tigers. That's the last time the Cubs were in the World Series.

"I'm happy the Cubs have done so wonderfully well, from coming from nowhere in a year to having the third highest percentage of wins in all of baseball this year," Wolf said.

There are only 166 more days until Opening Day 2016 and fans are optimistic.

"It's going to happen next year. We're a young team, we're full of talent. It's definitely going to happen. We'll be back here next time" said fan Javi Jacome.