Like most Cubs fans who stayed up past midnight to watch their team crowned World Series champions, Naperville’s Don Kuhn was a bit groggy when he headed off to work Thursday morning.
Kuhn, who supervises student teachers from North Central College, assumed people would understand.
The longtime Naperville School District 203 educator said deciding game 7 of the World Series that started on Wednesday and ended Thursday was intense from beginning to end.
“Right to last out, I was gnawing on my hands. …That game was way too close,” said Kuhn, whose parents and grandparents were Cubs fans.
Once the Cubs clinched the title, Kuhn had one more duty to complete – putting the final touch on his front-yard Halloween display.
For the last 20 years, Kuhn has placed ghostly decorations in his front yard. This year his theme was a countdown of the 11 wins Cubs needed to win the championship, featuring a Sesame Street-esque count and ghosts dressed in Cubs gear.
As his last act, Kuhn drew a line through the number one on the last sign, signifying the end of the Cub’s 108-year drought.
“The neighbors came out and were talking pictures,” he said.
Elic Bramlett was relishing the win Thursday, just days after he, his brother Eric and nephew Dillon, videotaped themselves doing an a cappella version of “Hey, Hey, Holy Mackerel” outside Wrigley Field.
Winning the World Series capped off a whirlwind week for the three Naperville residents, who have celebrated consecutive Cubs victories since they attended Sunday’s game.
The final Cubs win was icing on the cake.
“Oh yeah. What a game. Lots of screams of joy and anger and then joy again,” Bramlett said.
The Cubs win also could be a win for local baseball organizations.
Naperville Little League Operations Manager Lisa O’Rear said the number of kids playing baseball grew last year and she expects even more growth next year in the wake of the Cubs victory.
“We’re certainly looking forward and are ready for more players,” O’Rear said.
Twitter @SBakerSun1
