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From Goat to Gloat: Cubs Fans Celebrate First World Series Appearance Since 1945

As the Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in Game Six of the NLCS, fans overran police barricades to celebrate outside the ballpark.
Image: Chicago Cubs fans celebrate
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate after the Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in Game 6 of baseball's National League Championship Series, on Saturday in Chicago.Matt Marton / AP
/ Source: The Associated Press

Go Cubs fans, go!

Thousands of people in Chicago took to the streets Saturday after the Cubs made history by returning to the World Series for the first time in 71 years.

The Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in Game Six of the NLCS — and seemingly dismissed the “Curse of the Billy Goat” said to have been brought on by an irate tavern owner who wasn’t allowed to bring his goat into Wrigley Field in 1945.

Even Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who grew up in a Chicago suburb, was seen in a photo posted online by her press secretary with mouth agape in excitement as the Cubs clinched the pennant.

Even though he supports the Cubs' crosstown rival, the Chicago White Sox, President Obama offered his congratulations to fans Sunday.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement that “we are witnessing history right before our eyes.”

And in a gesture that appears incongruous with the presidential election, the defeated Dodgers sent a heartfelt message to the Cubs for a well-fought series. The Cubs replied with a tip of their caps.

Crowds in Chicago overran police barricades to celebrate, and people sang “Go, Cubs, Go” and hugged in the streets, NBC Chicago reported.

Two people climbed a traffic pole, and one shimmied all the way to the end. Police said he was later arrested, as were two fans who lit fireworks. Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said there were only six arrests in an estimated crowd of 30,000.

"It was a very safe and enjoyable celebration," he said.

Police eventually removed the barricades to allow fans to gather around the ballpark.

Gallery: Celebration as Chicago Cubs Clinch First World Series Slot Since 1945

"I never thought I'd see it," Brian Dusza, 49, told The Associated Press after attending Saturday's game. "I can't even describe what I'm feeling."

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks said after the game that this win and trip to the World Series was for the fans.

"I hope they enjoy this. They have been waiting a long time," Hendricks said. "Best fans in the baseball, most dedicated fans, and they deserve a lot more of these.”

Celebrity Cubs fans shared some love for their favorite team via social media. Actors Nick Offerman and Bob Newhart celebrated the win and John Cusack functioned as a witness.

While Chicagoans celebrated the return to the World Series, the last time the team actually won the championship was in 1908, the second of back-to-back title wins.

The Cubs will face another hard-luck team that has also failed to win the World Series for decades: The Cleveland Indians, who last won the title in 1948. The Cubs and Indians boast the two longest World Series droughts in baseball history.