As the Chicago Cubs contemplate their first World Series appearance since 1945 – and the possibility of their first title since 108 years – the team’s fans have started to celebrate.
Two of the most influential women in the US – Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama – are Cubs fans, and expressed their joy after Chicago beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night to secure the National League Championship Series. “Way to go Cubs!!, tweeted Obama. “My Dad is the reason I’m a true Cubs fans. He’d be so proud!”
Way to go @Cubs!! My Dad is the reason I'm a true Cubs fan. He'd be so proud! –mo
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) October 23, 2016
Clinton, who grew up in a suburb of Chicago, was on her campaign jet as the action unfolded on Saturday, but she kept up to date with a livestream on her phone. ABC News tweeted a picture of the presidential candidate at the moment the Cubs clinched their place in the World Series:
PHOTO: The moment Hillary Clinton learned that her beloved Chicago Cubs are heading to the World Series https://t.co/P7QAp2sYst pic.twitter.com/GMg1oYbM6j
— ABC News (@ABC) October 23, 2016
Bill Murray, who took over a White House press briefing to talk about the Cubs earlier this week, appeared to be in tears as he celebrated, while fellow actor John Cusack tweeted “It’s. Done.”
We are all Bill Murray tonight. Can you believe it? The Cubs are in the World Series! #Cubs https://t.co/os9426RynS
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 23, 2016
The Cubs’ crosstown rivals, the White Sox, broke their own title drought in 2005, when they won the World Series for the first time since 1917, and they offered their congratulations:
Congrats to the NL Champs pic.twitter.com/sbHuSJjtxX
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 23, 2016
But perhaps the bluntest assessment came from 90 year-old fan Dorothy Farrell, who was 19 the last time the Cubs won the pennant. Asked how she would celebrate she said: “I’ll probably have a Jagermeister.”
“I just wished wish my brothers were alive to see this ... They loved the Cubs. And my father did too,” she added. “But they’re all dead now. This old lady’s still living.”
