The line to view the Chicago Cubs World Series trophy started forming at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Western Springs Recreation Center, eight hours before the doors. The line eventually stretched several blocks to Hillgrove Avenue.
First in line were Bourbonnais residents Chris and Katherine Meyer, who said they tried to see it in Naperville recently but couldn’t get in, so they made sure they arrived early in Western Springs.
Rita Gonzales of St. Charles came with her adult children for what she called a “once in a lifetime chance” to have her photo taken with the trophy. Gonzales called herself “the original bleacher bum and a lifelong fan” of the Cubs.
Matthew Heldmann of Glen Ellyn came, but explained he is “technically the fan who traveled the furthest” since he was in London when his sister told him of the photo opportunity.
“I received an email that the trophy would be here today so I made sure I made it back,” he said.
The visit was part of a State Farm sponsored tour, which includes locations around the country. The trophy was at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana prior to arriving in Western Springs. Recreation staff member Rita Ligeikis said Cubs Chief Financial Officer Jon Greifenkamp, who is a Western Springs resident, recommended the recreation center for a stop because of the large gym and parking lot.
Despite the long lines, fans enjoyed the sunny weather and exchanging stories about the championship season. Brookfield resident Albina Rodriguez came with daughters Jennifer and Amy and said she wanted to complete a World Series album she started at the beginning of the season.
“I’m so happy to see the trophy in person and to get my picture taken for my album,” Rodriguez said. “I am such a fan I have collected everything I could find on the season for my album, and I still have Game 7 recorded.”
Lifelong Cubs fans Margaret Watts and Norma Zanghi traveled from Clarendon Hills and Darien. Watts said the friends used to live in Chicago.
“We took the El train to the game when you could get in for $1 on Sunday,” she said. “There was also a convent close to Wrigley Field where you could park for cheap.”
The two friends said this was a great chance to see the trophy after being fans for so long.
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Brothers Brandon and Kevin Januska from Bolingbrook arrived at 12:30 p.m. wearing their favorite Cubs gear.
“We looked at the trophy tour schedule and this was the best opportunity to get in to see it,” Brandon Januska said.
He also said he and his brother watched every single regular and play-off game in the season.
As the sun began to set it became a little chilly, prompting Western Springs resident Jennifer Dunleavy to send her husband, Kevin, and sons John and Colin home for jackets while she and her son Patrick kept their place at the end of the line.
“We heard the trophy would be here and we had to come.” Dunleavy said.
Diane Dachota is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.