WRIGLEY FIELD — The Chicago Cubs have won Game 5 of the World Series, keeping their season alive and sending the series back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Tuesday and possibly a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday.
In the final game of the season at Wrigley, the Cubs prevailed 3-2 over the Indians, holding off several Cleveland challenges in the late innings. It was the Cubs' first World Series win at Wrigley Field since Game 6 of the 1945 World Series. They lost that World Series to the Detroit Tigers in seven games.
#Cubs win! They live to fight another day. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/rL9G4VZ7N4
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 31, 2016
The Cubs still must win Tuesday and Wednesday in Cleveland to claim their first World Series title since 1908.
THIS IS FINE.#FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/1CGbk7UScl
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 31, 2016
No team has rallied from a 3-1 World Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals did it against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cleveland hasn't won a world title since 1948.
Cubs fans go nuts outside Clark Street bars after Kris Bryant's fourth inning bomb. #WorldSeries #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/fm8ql9D3uM
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) October 31, 2016
Fans were downtrodden but hardly beaten Saturday night, exiting Wrigley Field with cheers for "Cubs in seven." On Sunday, they wrote messages of enduring hope in chalk along the Sheffield Avenue side of the ballpark.
"We never quit," one declared. "I believe we win 3 in a row: World Series Champs!" another wrote.
7th inning stretch in Wrigleyville. pic.twitter.com/wLM7COc9Tr
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 31, 2016
The Cubs suffered a tough 7-2 loss Saturday, putting them behind the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
HIGH FIVE! Cubs go up 2-1 in Game 5: https://t.co/DQesvWL5tZ #WorldSeries #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/2HpqGoa0kl
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) October 31, 2016
Dennis and Gretchen Flowers have a 21-year marriage that started, in a way, at Wrigley Field. On Sunday, they watched the game from Yak-zies, where Dennis Flowers drank with his groomsmen before charming their way to a private tour of Wrigley Field, hours before he was set to say, "I do."
The couple lived in Wrigleyville for 10 years and mourn the old, rowdier bleachers where they caught dozens of games over the years.
#WorldSeries #letsgocubs #cubs #gocubsgo https://t.co/unqWatCBg3 pic.twitter.com/ZyNVSsSD70
— Ariel Cheung (@arielfab) October 31, 2016
"They're not the same anymore," Gretchen Flowers said. "Now you throw a handful of popcorn and you get kicked out."
The Flowers came back to Yak-zies from their Glenview home to catch the final home game of the 2016 postseason.
"I'm nervous, but that comes with the territory," Dennis Flowers said. "I'm optimistic, though."
The losses in Games 3-4 have subdued Wrigleyville crowds, meaning streets have cleared and reopened to traffic faster than even some National League Division Series games.
Amanda Jackson, 35, and Alex Jackson, 37, of Lincoln Park, wore "The Goatbusters" Halloween costumes Sunday night.
"Halloween is my favorite holiday, and it's that much better when the Cubs are in the World Series," Amanda Jackson said. "We're the Goatbusters, and we're here to break the billy goat curse."
Alex Jackson is confident Cubs ace will Jon Lester will keep the Indians off the scoreboard and the lineup will back him up.
"It's an elimination game," Jackson said, "but Lester is too good. We're going to get some hot bats tonight."
Steve Wright traveled almost 1,500 miles to watch the Cubs play in Game. The Evergreen Park native watched the rest of the postseason from his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, but he couldn't miss the opportunity to fly back to his hometown for a chance the fly the W with his neighborhood pals during the World Series.
"I flew in just for this game," said Wright, 43. "They're going to get it done tonight."
Alex Summers, Wright's buddy, has been living in Wicker Park for 10 years, always rooting for the Cubs. Hanging out with his pals and a cup of beer at The Bar Colona, he said he felt like he was a part of history.
"We're good," Summers said. "This is a part of the future movie they're going to make about this."
On Sept. 13, 2014, Alan Bukingolts went to a Cubs game and felt a boost in confidence about his favorite team. He called his best buddy in San Francisco with a prediction: The Cubs are going to be good.
"Dude, I just got back from the game," Bukingolts said. "The Cubs are good."
"I didn't believe it," said Jack Dreifuss, walking toward the Wrigley Field marquee. From a Cubs bar in San Francisco, Dreifuss watched the Cubs clinch the National League Championship Series. That night, drunk in his bed, he booked a flight to Chicago to watch the World Series with his buddy.
"He's always saying, 'you gotta remember that date,'" Dreifuss said. "Since then everything's changed."
Bars have dropped prices of admission from $250 to $50, while others were compelled to start charging covers after initial plans to avoid entry fees were crashed by huge lines that police and fire officials nixed on Friday.
Still, fans showed up in Wrigleyville for the final home game of the 2016 season.
Early Wrigleyville pics. pic.twitter.com/9WKske0p1t
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 31, 2016
Kids for the Cubs. #FlyTheW #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/IXz4MmjQDc
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) October 31, 2016
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