WRIGLEYVILLE — Generations of long-suffering Cubs fans had their prayers answered Saturday night
The Cubs beat the Dodgers 5-0 to earn their first World Series appearance since 1945.
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Saturday — with fans all over Chicago, the state, the country the world watched in angst — the Cubs' fate was different.
Fans erupted outside Wrigley and around the city after the Cubs victory, with fireworks being lit off in neighborhoods around the city.
The perimeter has been secured #Cubs https://t.co/EIuCsX1teN
— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) October 23, 2016
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"It's electric. It's very exciting. I just hope they can get it done," said Nick Kotas, 18, of Roselle before the game.
Big crowd outside the southwest corner of Wrigley an hour before first pitch #FlyTheW #NLCS @Cubs https://t.co/Mvsp8V09d0
— Brad Gerick (@Gerick) October 22, 2016
Lincoln Square cheers Cubs run! pic.twitter.com/KOZrT7Cj9U
— Patty Wetli (@Pattydnachicago) October 23, 2016
Outside the park, the scene was mobbed as there was a long line to get into Murphy's Bleachers.
"It's like a zoo," said Jim Gaines, 31, of Wicker Park.
"It's gonna be a huge party, and I'm just glad to be a part of it," said Kirk Sells, 31, a comedy rapper and CEO of Chicago and Los Angeles-based group White Chedda.
Just prior to the first pitch, a fan proposed outside the ballpark near Murphy's Bleachers, and the women proposed to appeared to say yes.
Looks like she said yes (Via Fox Sports 1) pic.twitter.com/atbInDI7E9
— Justin Breen (@dnainfo_breen) October 22, 2016
The Cubs' championship series appearance drought is the longest in any of the four major professional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey.
The Cubs hold a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven NLCS. If they lose Saturday, a winner-take-all Game 7 is Sunday at 7:08 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
Meet Gordo the English Bulldog. "He's looking for goat meat," his owner, Joe, says. #GoCubsGo pic.twitter.com/Q0McOBrI9B
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) October 22, 2016
The American League-champion Indians await in the World Series, which begins Tuesday night in Cleveland. The Indians have a championship drought of their own, claiming their last World Series title in 1948. Only one player is still alive from that team.
Very few people on the planet are still alive who were here in 1908, the last time the Cubs won a World Series.
The Cubs have never won an NLCS, losing in 1984, 1989, 2003 and last year.
"I've got the Chicago Cubbie blues." pic.twitter.com/FCKMtWWxjt
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) October 22, 2016
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