Being a lifelong Cubs fan, the unprecedented success of 2016’s squad has been jarring for me. Knowing the perils of cheering for a team that consistently disappoints, and recognizing that the Cubs last World Series appearance was in 1945, the Cubs’ World Series berth this year could truly be a once in a lifetime experience.
As my beloved team faced a 3-1 deficit, I felt compelled to hop on the Megabus and make the seven-hour pilgrimage to the holy mecca of Cubs fans: Wrigleyville, for Game 5 of the World Series.
For those unaffiliated with Cubs culture, Wrigleyville is the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field, the stadium where the Cubs play. A ticket to Game 5 at Wrigley cost an average of $5,373 — the second most expensive sporting event this year.
Being that the average Chicagoan doesn’t have that money just lying around, crowds flocked to the area surrounding the stadium hoping to breathe in some of the atmosphere of one of the most important sporting events of the century.
A buzz could be felt in the air throngs of people amassed all around the park; some at entrances, some around local businesses watching the game on television through the window, some around vendors hawking “authentic” World Series merchandise.
Anxiety, excitement and pure elation could be seen on the faces of lifelong Cubs fans, some who have waited their entire lives for this very moment.
When the final out was called and the Cubs recorded their first World Series win at Wrigley Field since 1945, a collective sigh of relief was let out, immediately proceeded by a chorus of “Go Cubs Go” the official song of the Cubs nation.
The party burned on into the early hours of Monday morning, and it appeared an unofficial citywide holiday had been declared.
Regardless of the final outcome of the series, Cubs Nation rejoiced in its biggest win at Wrigley in the last 100 years.
