Jubilant fans of the Chicago Cubs erupted in celebration on Saturday after the team made this year's World Series, aiming for their first win since 1908.
Chicago's North Side turned into a roving street party as thousands of people spilled out of Wrigley Field after witnessing the team vanquish the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0, giving the Cubs the National League championship for the first time in more than 70 years.
Long known as "lovable losers," the Cubs now have their sights set on winning the franchise's first World Series title in more than a century.
"I've been waiting my whole life for this, I just wish my dad could have lived to see it," said Ryan Jones, 42, who wiped tears from his eyes while celebrating with his two sons.
Like the Boston Red Sox, who battled the so-called "Curse of the Bambino" after trading away the legendary Babe Ruth in 1920 to their arch rival New York Yankees, the Cubs have their own bad luck legend: the "Curse of the Billy Goat."
In 1945, the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, Billy Sianis, was supposedly asked to leave Wrigley because the smell of his pet goat was disturbing other patrons. Sianis allegedly vowed the Cubs would not win any more, and the team has not returned to the World Series since losing that year to the Tigers.
The franchise boasts a number of famous fans as well, including comedian and actor Bill Murray, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder and actor John Cusack.
The Cubs have had a few close calls since 1945, including 1984, when Chicago was one win away from going to the World Series but lost three straight games to the San Diego Padres.
But perhaps their most painful loss came 13 years ago, when they played the Florida Marlins in game six of the National League Championship Series with a chance to make the World Series.
Leading 3-0 in the eighth inning, the Cubs collapsed after a fan named Steve Bartman tried to grab a foul ball that outfielder Moises Alou appeared to have a shot at catching.
Florida went on to score eight runs in the inning, and Chicago lost game seven the following day.
Bartman later had to go into hiding when his address was made public on the internet.
