Cubs fans show in millions to celebrate World Series title

Posted on November 4, 2016
Cubs rally
Cubs fans in Grant Park. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

CHICAGO – About 5 million Chicago Cubs fans packed into the city’s downtown and Grant Park Friday to celebrate the team’s first World Series championship in 108 years.

Most fans said it was still hard to believe the Cubs had finally ended the historic drought. Jeff Ransdell was one of them.

“I am more excited than I’ve ever been in my life,” said Ransdell. “This is a dream come true. It is amazing.”

Michael Berronis said he was “ecstatic” to be celebrating the victory.

“I thought that they would win, but then I got kind of nervous. But just the fact that I get to be here, I get to be around a bunch of other fans, it’s a pretty awesome feeling,” Berronis said.

Ransdell said the Cubs winning the World Series means a lot to him personally.

“My dad passed away and he was a huge Cubs fan,” said Ransdell. “People who’ve lost somebody and long time Cubs fans, this means more than just a sports game. This is on a more deeper emotional level.”

Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said during the rally he hopes this isn’t the last time they get to celebrate to Chicago. They want to bring the trophy back again in 2017.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…