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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