CLEVELAND _ Team President Theo Epstein encountered actor and longtime Cubs fan Bill Murray in the chaos that was the Cubs' clubhouse following their victory over the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series and let the Evanston, Ill., native and graduate of Loyola Academy have it right in the face with a spray of Champagne.
"I knew I was going to cry, I didn't think it was because I was blind," said Murray, his eyes red and stinging from the celebratory Champagne.
Murray, who has been a frequent visitor to Wrigley Field for many years, was beside himself with joy after the team captured its first World Series championship in 108 years Wednesday night in Cleveland.
"When the lions at the Art Institute start wearing Cubs hats or Bears helmets you know there's some sort of magic happening in the city," Murray said. "This is it. This was a long time coming. This is really great."
Did he ever imagine the Cubs would break through and win a title?
"Hell, yes," Murray said. "You kidding? I've been imagining this for a long time. I didn't think it would happen in Cleveland, but I thought it would happen. I thought we'd have it in Wrigley Field. Just being in Wrigley Field and seeing all that excitement this week and the last few weeks is dreamy. It's really pretty cool."
Murray, who was slugging Champagne directly from a bottle, then turned a bit mystical to explain the Cubs' roller-coaster ride to the title.
"Whenever you pass from one atmosphere to another there's a lot of energy," Murray said. "It takes a lot of energy to blast a rocket ship up into space, and it takes a lot of energy to blast yourself to the World Series. There's a force field you have to pass through and the Indians put it up."
