The January temperatures
were hovering around zero degrees but the Naperville City Hall was swarmed in
Cubbie blue. Cubs fans were gathering
for the first suburban stop of the Chicago Cubs Trophy Tour hoping to get their picture
taken with the 2016 Major League Baseball Championship Trophy. So on this first
Saturday of 2017, downtown Naperville, IL resembled the Friendly Confines at
Clark & Addison on game day.
“We are so excited to host
the first stop of the Chicago Cubs Trophy Tour,” shared Linda LaCloche, Communications
Director for the City Manager’s Office.
LaCloche, along with dozens of Naperville municipal employees, worked
with the Chicago Cubs organization to host the event. “There are so many avid Chicago Cub fans in
the area. Plus, people have traveled
from as far away as Iowa to be part of this event. We are grateful the Cubs
organization chose to include everyone in celebrating their World Series victory.”
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| What Cubs Fans Braved the Cold To See (Photo by Angie Bertucci) |
Looking over the City
Council Chambers packed with excited Cub fans, Chicago Cubs Executive V.P of Community
Affairs Mike Lufrano echoed the sentiment.
“We have the greatest fans in the world.
They have supported us through good times and bad. The Cubs are happy we have finally brought
them the championship that many of our fans have been waiting generations to
experience. One of the best things about
the trophy tour is the chance to hear our fans share their individual
stories. There are so many great stories. People have come up to me with
pictures of family members who were life-long Cubs fans who have passed and
never experienced a World Series Championship.
People became life-long Cubs fans because of their father, mother,
uncle, or other relatives were life-long Cubs fans, so they brought their
pictures so their loved ones could be part of the celebration.”
The event was scheduled
for 11:00 am -1:00 pm on Saturday. The first fan got in line at 6:30 pm the
night before and stood outside the City Hall doors all night long. He was joined by more fans throughout the
night who didn’t want to miss their chance to have their picture taken with the
Championship Trophy. It may have been
months since the Cubs won the extra-inning Game Seven, but Cub fans continue to
celebrate something many have waited their entire life to experience.
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| Morgan Newey, Megan Swanson, and Robin Klemor Bringing the Memory of Harry Carey |
Many fans brought pictures
and memorabilia as a way to share the event with loved ones who were unable to
be part of the World Series celebration.
Robin Klemor had a Cubs shirt signed by Harry Carey in 1985. She took it out of its frame so she could
wear it for her picture with the trophy.
“I always knew I would someday be able to wear this to celebrate a Cubs
World Series win.”
Angie Bertucci typified
the Cubs fan who braved the weather to see the trophy up close. Despite standing in line with her parents for
nearly four hours, her enthusiasm remained undaunted. Smiling, she nervously checked the time as
1:00 pm was quickly approaching and there were still over 100 people in front
of her. With the faith of a true Cubs
fan Bertucci said, “I have to believe we are going to make it to the
trophy. Cubs fans have been waiting 108
years for this championship so I know we are going to make it.” The Cubs
organization rewarded her loyalty as they extended the event to allow all the
fans and workers within the building to view the trophy. The Bertucci family enjoyed their 60 seconds
with the trophy that had waited so long to see.
“It was definitely worth it,” said Bertucci. The Cubs organization thinks so too.
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| Karen and Angie Bertucci Waiting To See The Trophy |
The World Series Championship trophy is officially
known as the Commissioner’s Trophy. It
was designed by Tiffany & Co. in 2000.
The Chicago Cubs Trophy Tour will continue, traveling throughout the
suburbs, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, before heading to Mesa AZ for Spring
Training towards the end of February. It
will return to Wrigley Field for Opening Day on April 10. To learn more about the Chicago Cubs Trophy
Tour, visit http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/fan_forum/trophy-tour/
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| Bringing the "W" |
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