The curse has been lifted.
When you've waited 108 years to shatter a World Series drought, it's only fitting you do it in style.
That's what the Chicago Cubs did in their classic 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the World Series, ending a century long stretch of futility, failure and heartbreak.
For most Cubs fans, during the 108-year drought, many were unable to live long enough to see the long-suffering franchise lift the World Series trophy on Wednesday night.
Across the country, underneath the Southern California sunshine and the entertainment epicenter known as Staples Center, Clippers coach Doc Rivers was trying to follow along with the dramatic action in Game 7 as his team was trying to remain undefeated against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Rivers is a Chicago native, but a self-proclaimed White Sox fan. The NBA Champion head coach was born and raised in the Windy City and was a McDonald's All-American in high school in the metropolitan area.
Rivers admits that he grew up a Cubs fan, a trait passed on to him and his brother by their father Grady.
"He was a ridiculous Cubs fan," Rivers said of his late father. "I was a Cub fan too as a little kid until they traded Bill Madlock. That's when my brother and I gave up on them."
Sports
Get today's sports news out of Los Angeles. Here's the latest on the Dodgers, Lakers, Angels, Kings, Galaxy, LAFC, USC, UCLA and more LA teams.
Despite his switch to the North Side, Rivers still had a soft spot in his heart for the Cubs because of his father, a diehard Cubbie who waited all his life for his beloved team to bring home a World Series.
Grady Sr. remained loyal to the "Loveable Losers," all his life, waving the white flag after every victory and reciting the annual mantra, "there's always next year." He waited as long as he could, but died before the curse ended on Wednesday night.
"I got 50 texts that said, 'Your dad's partying in heaven,'" said an emotional Rivers after his Clippers lost to the Thunder 85-83. "It's really cool in that light. Good for the Cubs. I'm happy for that."
The Cubs have brought families together during their improbable postseason run this year and have made sure to not leave any Cubs fan behind this year, living or dead.
In fact, some fans in the Chicago area had been heading over to All Saints cemetery where they have been gathering around late announcer Harry Caray's grave. The pilgrimage of sorts has become a sacred space for the fans of the "loveable losers," but visitors have been leaving baseballs and handwritten notes that read:
"This is the year."
Doc Rivers on the @Cubs winning the #WorldSeries, his dad was "a ridiculous Cubs fan" #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/opZKAvSkzi — ClipCast (@LACLIPCAST) November 3, 2016
