Patrick M. O’Connell – Page 26

Jubilant Cubs fans in Cleveland for World Series opener: ‘A dream come true’

May 15, 2019 at 11:50 p.m.

They rearranged work schedules and drove six hours through the night. They spent more than $1,000 for a single ticket. They packed up Ryne Sandberg jerseys and W rally towels...

A rooftop building is decorated with W flags during the NLCS game between the Chicago Cubs and LA Dodgers on Oct. 22, 2016.

Excited Cubs fans hit the road to Cleveland for World Series opener

May 15, 2019 at 11:49 p.m.

There were Illinois license plates aplenty on the Ohio Turnpike on Monday afternoon as Cubs fans determined to watch baseball history in person hit the road for the five-plus-hour journey...

Chicago Cubs fan Jim Foste celebrates a Kris Bryant (17) RBI single in the first inning of Game 6 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Oct. 22, 2016.

Ecstatic Cubs fans on World Series: ‘It’s finally here’

May 16, 2019 at 12:01 a.m.

The last time the Cubs reached the World Series, Harry Truman was president, World War II had just ended and a gallon of gas cost 21 cents. And fans like...

Wrigleyville becoming refined, redefined

May 22, 2019 at 10:37 p.m.

Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Grill, a cavernous Wrigleyville watering hole, used to spend $20,000 a year on ballpark advertising. But several years after the Ricketts family bought the...

Connie Pfiffner's mom, Eleanor, died earlier this year at 106. Eleanor Pfiffner was a Cubs fan who said she wasn't going to die until the team won the World Series.

Postseason hoopla brings joy, regret to families of recently departed Cubs fans

May 15, 2019 at 11:43 p.m.

At her 100th birthday party, Eleanor Pfiffner answered playful questions about the Cubs' fortunes like she usually did: This is the year, she'd say, "because I'm not getting any younger."...

Bartender Carlos Perea prepares to open a bar area at the center field concourse before Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 15, 2016.

Unknown to many, history lurks under Wrigley’s remodeled bleachers

May 15, 2019 at 11:48 p.m.

In some ways, the more things change in the bleachers at Wrigley Field, the more they stay the same. Fans arrive early in hopes of snagging a batting practice home...

Kyle Odeshoo, 13, and his dad Steve prepare to keep score while watching the game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.

Dwindling group of fans keep alive tradition of keeping score by hand

May 15, 2019 at 11:48 p.m.

It's hard to miss the statistics at Wrigley Field. The lineups and detailed player information are displayed on the video boards added to the outfield a year ago, on ribbon...

Aroldis Chapman finishes off the Giants in the ninth inning.

Cubs fans descend upon Wrigleyville for first playoff game

May 15, 2019 at 11:36 p.m.

It was hours before the gates would open at Wrigley Field for the first game of the National League Division Series between the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants, and...

Cubs fan Affan Arain, far right, watches Game 1 of the NLDS with his dad, Ada, far left, and his two sons Aman, 13, and Yusuf, 8, in their Hyde Park home on Oct. 7, 2016.

For Cubs’ faithful, baseball and religion often overlap

May 15, 2019 at 11:38 p.m.

When the Cubs' Starlin Castro cracked a home run in Game 3 of last year's divisional playoff series against the Cardinals, Affan Arain was praying. Arain, who is Muslim, had...

Jim Calvo, 51, of Naperville, finds his seat for the Cubs game with his son Joey, 14, on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 for Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field.

Aisle 240, Row 23: A fan’s view

May 15, 2019 at 11:37 p.m.

Every Cubs home playoff game, the Tribune will introduce you to fans sitting in Aisle 240, Row 23 of Wrigley Field during what fans hope will be a historic run....

Patrick M. O'Connell

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