Cubs fans celebrate ahead of historic trip to World Series
ABC7 TEAM REPORT
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Cubs made history Saturday night, and then took off Sunday evening for Cleveland where they will play Game 1 of the World Series.
About 300,000 fans celebrated in the streets outside Wrigley Field for hours after the Cubs trounced the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-0, in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. This is the team's first World Series in 71 years.
The Cubs face the Indians in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.
The Indians are also thirsty for a title. They are looking to end their own 68-year title drought.
HIGH TICKET PRICES
Fans scrambled for Cubs gear Sunday, but the big search was for tickets.
World Series tickets are cheaper for Game 1 and Game 2 this week in Cleveland than games in Chicago.
In Cleveland, prices for standing room only tickets were around $800 on StubHub on Sunday. In comparison, similar tickets at Wrigley for Game 3 were going for more than $2,200.
Game 2 will be in Cleveland on Wednesday. Game 3 is in Chicago on Friday. Game 4 is Saturday in Chicago. If necessary, Game 5 is in Chicago on Oct. 30, Game 6 is in Cleveland on Nov. 1 and Game 7 is in Cleveland on Nov. 2.
PHOTOS: CANINE CUBS FANS
CHICAGO CELEBRATES
On Saturday, Wrigley fans everywhere erupted into excitement after the win.
"I was so loud last night my wife had to throw me downstairs to the basement I was up jumping, yelling, scream. She said, 'Please go down, you're scaring the dog,'" said fan Tronie Sumait.
On Sunday, a steady stream of fans visited Wrigley, taking pictures in front of the Harry Caray statue and selfies around the stadium.
Early Monday, the Art Institute of Chicago plans to install Cubs batting helmets on the iconic lion statues outside the museum on South Michigan Avenue.
During Saturday night celebrations, six arrests were made around Wrigley Field for unlawful sale of tickets, obstruction of traffic by non motorist/storage of goods on public way, disorderly conduct, obstruction of traffic, reckless conduct and resisting/obstructing.
Other rowdy fans climbed the pole of a portable police surveillance camera but celebrations were mostly peaceful.
Nine people were taken to hospitals.
A few drones were spotted around the park during and after the game, officials said. "The City reminds fans and residents that using drones in public spaces in Chicago is illegal, and anyone caught using one will be arrested," according to a statement from the city's Office of Emergency Management & Communications.
PHOTOS: CUBS FANS CELEBRATE
WHITE SOX FANS REACT
Far from the Friendly Confines, U.S. Cellular Field sits dark and silent.
"We are Sox Siders, but we wish the Cubs luck", reads one sign on the South Side.
Many are happy for the other Chicago team. But White Sox pride is still strong, even among the most holy.
"Father Tom said 'Mass has ended, go in peace.' And he walked to the back of the church and as we walk out, he's like "Let's go Cleveland,'" said Sox fan Ann Elsworth on Sunday.
In the Canaryville shadows of the Cell, there hangs "L" flags, which as one Sox fan explains is "for when they lose, hopefully in six."
The South Side Cubbies are keeping a low profile. Tucked in the backyard of Jim Goga's home is a big Cubs flag, which is kept back there because "my friends take it down and put White Sox stickers all over it."
He said his friends aren't happy for his teams win. Why should they? He rooted against the White Sox in 2005 for every game.
Sox fan President Barack Obama was more diplomatic. He tweeted, "I'll say it: Holy Cow, @Cubs fans. Even this White Sox fan was happy to see Wrigley rocking last night. #FlyTheW."
FANS GOBBLING UP CUBBIE GEAR
Cubs fans have already started grabbing NL Championship gear.
Cubs gear commemorating the team's victory Saturday night went on sale almost immediately as fans picked up anything that had to do with the Cubs.
At Dick's Sporting Goods in Lincoln Park, fans began to trickle in to get their piece of Cubs' history as the store opened at 7 a.m.
"Got his little sister a shirt, we're getting his friend a shirt, we got the hat, everything. We're ready," said Nicole Coleman.
"We are going to Game 1," said Craig Singer. "We're booked and we will be on the road on Tuesday so we're very excited. Four more wins."
"It was an emotional moment for most Cubs fans," said Johnny Burbano. "I got really choked up, I am getting choked up now. It's something extremely special."
TWITTER REACTIONS TO CUBS WIN
Fans and celebrities took to Twitter to congratulate the Cubs on their historic tweet.
First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted, "Way to go @Cubs!! My Dad is the reason I'm a true Cubs fan. He'd be so proud!"
Chicago Bull Dwyane Wade tweeted, "Cubbies congrats on the WORLD SERIES!!! I definitely came back at the right time. #FlyTheW" then tweeted at his friend and Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James, "@KingJames Let's talk!!! #WorldSeriesConvo"
James responded,"@DwyaneWade Absolutely!! We're placing a nice bet and more on this one my friend! #WorldSeries #RallyTogether."
CUBS BEAT DODGERS 5-0 TO REACH 1st WORLD SERIES SINCE 1945
"This city deserves it so much," Anthony Rizzo said. "We got four more big ones to go, but we're going to enjoy this. We're going to the World Series. I can't even believe that."
All-everything Javier Baez and pitcher Jon Lester shared the NLCS MVP. Baez hit .318, drove in five runs and made several sharp plays at second base. Lester, a former World Series champion in Boston, was 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers.
Deemed World Series favorites since opening day, the Cubs topped the majors with 103 wins to win the NL Central, then beat the Giants and Dodgers in the playoffs.
The Cubs took their 17th pennant. They had not earned a World Series trip since winning a doubleheader opener 4-3 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, 1945, to clinch the pennant on the next-to-last day of the season.
The eternal "wait till next year" is over. No more dwelling on a history of failure - the future is now.
"We're too young. We don't care about it," star slugger Kris Bryant said. "We don't look into it. This is a new team, this is a completely different time of our lives. We're enjoying it and our work's just getting started."
The Cubs shook off back-to-back shutout losses earlier in this series by pounding the Dodgers for 23 runs to win the final three games.
Clayton Kershaw, dominant in Game 2 shutout, gave up five runs and seven hits before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth. He fell to 4-7 lifetime in the postseason.
Pitching on five days' rest, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner threw 30 pitches in the first. Fowler led off with a double, and Bryant's single had the crowd shaking the 102-year-old ballpark.
They had more to cheer when left fielder Andrew Toles dropped Rizzo's fly, putting runners on second and third, and Ben Zobrist made it 2-0 a sacrifice fly.
The Cubs added a run in the second when Addison Russell doubled to deep left and scored on a two-out single by Fowler.
Coach Joe Maddon benched slumping right fielder Jason Heyward in favor of Albert Almora Jr.
"Kershaw's pitching, so I wanted to get one more right-handed bat in the lineup, and also with Albert I don't feel like we're losing anything on defense," Maddon said. "I know Jason's a Gold Glover, but I think Albert, given an opportunity to play often enough would be considered a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder, too."
DUELING DROUGHTS: CUBS, INDIANS SET TO MEET IN WORLD SERIES
At long, long last, it's true: Either the Chicago Cubs or Cleveland Indians will win the World Series.
The matchup between teams that forever waited till next year - next century, really - is finally here.
The Cubs are ready to sweep aside the Curse of the Billy Goat and the specter of Steve Bartman. And make up for the near-misses by Cubs greats such as Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Billy Williams.
"Obviously we know that it's something that's going to be talked about with the history of the organization," pitcher Jake Arrieta said.
"But it's really not something we focus on at all. So we just kind of disregard it and go out and play," he said.
The Indians also a past full of failure and frustration. Their title drought dates to Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby and 1948, trailing only the Cubs for the longest wait in the majors.
In 1997, Cleveland was three outs from winning the championship when closer Jose Mesa blew a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 at Florida. An error by sure-handed second baseman Tony Fernandez doomed them in the 11th.
Like the Cubs with Bartman, the spectator who infamously deflected a foul ball at Wrigley during the 2003 NL playoffs, the Indians also have a prominent fan. It's John Adams, the man who has been beating a drum at most every home game for more than four decades.
Soon, another city will be celebrating. Maybe next week, maybe next month, with Game 7 scheduled for Nov. 2.
A pair of big cities, one on Lake Michigan, the other on Lake Erie, waiting ... and hoping to end the wait.
On deck: Great Lakes, great stakes.
The Associated Press and Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
