CLEVELAND (AP) – They hugged, danced and cried while waving those ‘W’ flags like never before after an inconceivable win – 108 years of pent-up emotion released.
But after the wait and surviving an epic, ulcer-inducing Game 7, Chicago Cubs fans – relatives spanning generations, college pals and life-long friends who came to Cleveland hoping to share history – weren’t about to leave.
Someone was going to have to kick them out.
As thousands swarmed around Chicago’s dugout like ants climbing a hill more than an hour after their cherished Cubbies won the World Series for the first time since 1908 by capping a colossal comeback with an 8-7 win over the Indians, the skies opened over Progressive Field.
And what began as a sprinkle turned into a hard, cooling November rain, soaking the delirious fans so caught up in the joyful celebration that they couldn’t possibly appreciate the downpour’s symbolism.