Cubs fans: Next year is now

CHICAGO – Next year is here.

At exactly 11:47 local time, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series that has eluded them for 108 years. Fans who packed bars to watch the games on television near Wrigley Field – neither of which existed back in 1908 – erupted in cheers before swarming onto the streets just before midnight Wednesday to celebrate in the shadows of the statues of Cubs greats Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and legendary announcer Harry Caray.

As the game ended at 8-7, the roar from inside the bars and the throng of fans on the street was deafening, before the crowds both inside and out sang ‘’go Cubs go’’ at the top of their lungs.

‘’This was torture,’’ said Mike Delmanowski, a lifelong Cubs fan who flew to Chicago from California just to be surrounded by other Cubs fans. ‘’I would not have missed it for anything.

‘’I am so proud to be a part of it,’’ said his wife, Sue, who was crying off and on from the fifth inning. ‘’