Cubs fans celebrate their trip to Series

CHICAGO — With a mix of euphoria, relief and disbelief, long-suffering Chicago Cubs fans are shaking off superstitions and setting their sights on the team’s first World Series in 71 years.

“For me, personally I had tears in my eyes. I’ve seen them come close,” said Chicago native Jimmy Tingas, 47, who owns Wrigleyville Grill in San Antonio, where he caters to homesick former Chicagoans still craving hot dogs and Italian beef. “We have one more task to do. I’m confident they’re going to do it.”

First lady Michelle Obama joined the chorus Sunday morning, congratulating her hometown Cubs a day after the team defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago’s Wrigley Field in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.

The Chicago native tweeted: “Way to go Cubs!!” She then recalled her father, saying: “My Dad is the reason I’m a true Cubs fans. He’d be so proud!”

Lifelong fan Marilyn Hnatusko wiped away tears after the win Saturday night, recalling other longtime Cubs fans.

“I thought of all my relatives who didn’t see this, my dear Uncle John, and now I can’t quite believe it happened,” she said.

Restaurant owner Tingas, too, is having some trouble letting go of some traditional Cubs beliefs, like the infamous billy goat curse: “When we win the World Series we’re going to have roasted goat, I’ll tell you that.”

Steve Zucker, who’s been coming to games since the 1940s, said before Saturday’s game that if the Cubs won, he would go to his father’s grave and leave a Cubs hat and T-shirt.

“My dad died playing cards, listening to the game on a little transistor radio,” Zucker said. “Before this year, I never thought I would see this.”

Chicago faces the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.