Sep 30, 2008 4:46 pm US/Central
Cubs Fans Gather For Rally In Daley Plaza
Jim Belushi To Host; Billy Williams, Ron Santo To Attend
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Hundreds of Cubs fans turned out in Daley Plaza Tuesday afternoon for a rally as the Cubs head to the playoffs.
CBS
Hundreds of cheering, exuberant Cubs gathered in Daley Plaza Tuesday morning, as Mayor Richard M. Daley, Gov. Rod Blagoejevich and three Cubs legends joined them in celebrating the Cubs' postseason berth.
As early as the 8 a.m. hour, there was a small crowd in Daley Plaza, and by noon, there were hundreds. They filled most of the space from the Daley Center to Washington Street as Jim Belushi took the podium.
After Belushi led the crowd in a chorus of "Sweet Home Chicago," he handed over the stage to Cubs legends Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ernie Banks, and afterward, Mayor Daley and Gov. Blagojevich.
"You have made history here in Chicago. You are committed, you're passionate, you're excited about not only your team, but Chicago," Mayor Daley told the fans. "I present my hat to you, put it back on, and on to the World Series!"
"To my fellow Cub fans, let me say you are the greatest sports fans in all of America," Blagojevich said.
"It's crazy. It's unbelievable. I love seeing everyone in their Cubs gear," said Brianne Ortega, Cubs fan. "It's awesome."
A video of late Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray singing "Take Me out to the Ballgame" was also shown, before current players took the podium.
The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908, or even been to one since 1945, But as CBS 2's Ryan Baker points out, the team has not won back-to-back titles since 1908 either, and this year, they did.
Baker says he is most impressed that the Cubs are truly a team. There are many options for most valuable player, including Aramis Ramirez, Mark DeRosa – who was valuable for playing many different positions – the pitching staff, and the bullpen. And Alfonso Soriano missed a couple of weeks, but came back and hit almost 30 home runs.
"But the guy I credit is the skipper Lou Piniella," Baker said. "He's kept this team on the same page, kept them focused on the primary goal – and that's winning ballgames, getting to the playoffs, redeeming themselves from a year ago when they were swept by Arizona in the first round."
But while fans are celebrating, the Cubs are not looking past their first round against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baker says.
Fans at the rally said they anticipated this to be a historic year.
"I was at the game last year when they lost and it was painful, so I'm hoping this year they can turn it around," said Paul Tapscott, Cubs fan.
"I think we're going to get all the way to the promised land," said Jerry Pritikin, known to Wrigley Field crowds as the "Bleacher Preacher." "We're not going to see it, we're going to get there."
When CBS 2's Ed Curran asked Pritikin if he felt comfortable with the bullpen, Pritikin replied: "The bullpen? I felt comfortable about the batboy. This team gelled from the beginning, and I think the fans have been waiting, I've been waiting, and I think we're going to get there. This is the year – no doubt about it."
As the rally wrapped up, Belushi led the crowd in a chorus of Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go" as red and blue confetti showered the crowd.
"It gets the city ramped up the day before the big game," said Cubs fan Dejuan Shorter. "Look at the turnout right now. I definitely think it helps out."
The first playoff game against the Dodgers is set for 5:35 p.m. Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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