tated previously he would rejoin the Eels if he ever returned to the NRL.

CHICAGO -- They spoke of heartbreak and black cats and goats. And finally, Chicago Cubs fans spoke with pride about winning it all.This is new territory for these long-suffering fans and it showed on Thursday, the day after the Cubs wrapped up their first World Series championship since 1908 with a Game 7, extra-inning thriller in Cleveland against the Indians. Amid all the celebrating and relief and joy ahead of Fridays big downtown parade, there was a bit of confusion on just how to proceed.After all, 108 years of falling short is a long time.That just dawned on me yesterday that Chicagos not going to have that reputation anymore of lovable losers, said Peggy Herrington, 49, of Chicago. Were not going to fall back on that and think about the goats or anything.She and others were just fine with that.You get all the ridicule from your friends -- `lovable losers, `they always blow it, I know theyre gonna blow this, said Michael McNeela, a 66-year-old Chicago retiree who has rooted for the Cubs since he was 11. And they have to eat their words. ... I got a (championship) hat now and theyre going to see it and they have to shut up.The story of the Cubs, like so many teams (including Cleveland), is filled with sadness and what ifs. Its just that the Cubs have always seemed to come up empty in the most puzzling ways. The August collapse in 1969, which included a black cat on the field at one point, and of course the 2003 postseason when fate and a fan named Steve Bartman stepped in and suddenly a trip to the Series was gone. But those milestones will fade now, along with the fabled curse of the billy goat, leveled in 1945 -- the last time the Cubs reached the Fall Classic.I think what this does for the identity of the Cubs fan is maybe they will have to deal with less of that tired old trope of the goat, the black cat, said Lin Brehmer, a devoted fan and local radio host. Thats all in the past now. You can forget that part of our narrative.There is a new story for Cubs Nation and fans were eager to share it with each other. Thousands celebrated into the night in the streets of Wrigleyville and many bleary-eyed faces were seen on the morning commute as a new era dawned in Chicago. The Cubs returned to a heros welcome in the wee hours, with first baseman Anthony Rizzo cheered at Wrigley Field as he held the World Series trophy aloft.Many found ways to share the joy with loved one who did not live long enough to see it for themselves, spelling out their memories in chalk on the brick walls of the ballpark. Among them was Mike Compton, 59, of suburban Arlington Heights.He passed away in January, was 91 years old, Compton said of his father. I had to come down and put his name on the brick.Others who poured out of taverns near Wrigley when the game was over to shout, sing, cry, hug and take photographs also took a few seconds early Thursday to touch statues of Cubs greats Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and broadcaster Harry Caray. It was an easy way to share the event with whose long careers with the Cubs came and went without even a trip to the Series.It is sad for past generations that missed it all together, said Judy Pareti, who came from New York to stand outside the Murphys Bleachers tavern, which is in a building across the street from Wrigley .My great uncle went to every game with a scorecard and he died a few years ago, she said. He just missed all of this.She added: It is sad we are never going to see them win for the first time ever again. We lost that.Of course, the Cubs didnt make it easy. A seven-game series is always tense and the Cubs blew a 5-1 lead in the finale Wednesday night. When the Indians tied things up in the eighth inning, many feared yet another devastating chapter in the long history of Cubs heartbreak was on the way.When they tied it up it felt like it was over, they (the Cubs) had lost, said Mike Dillon, a banking executive who drove to a tavern just outside Wrigley to be among other fans . I couldnt believe they won and even going home I had to turn on the news channels to make sure it actually happened.In the end, between 11:46 p.m. and 11:47 p.m. Central time, he and others went from being the longest-suffering fans in American sports to fans of the best team in baseball.It showed the fight, the grit, the up-and-down, the history of the team, the fans and the city, said Donna Drepeau, a 50-year-old artist. It had to be that way, it couldnt come easy. That team showed Chicago what we are. Adidas Shoes NZ For Sale . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Cheap Adidas NZ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. http://www.adidasshoessalenz.com/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Wholesale Adidas Shoes NZ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Wholesale Shoes NZ Online . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. After watching his team all but secure a spot in this years NRL finals series, Penrith coach Anthony Griffin admits hes no idea how far his team can go in 2016.The Panthers have emerged as this years premiership darkhorses after impressively disposing of the Wests Tigers 40-10 at Pepper Stadium on Friday night.It was their third victory on the trot - all of which have produced at least 38 points - as well as their second biggest win over their neighbourhood rivals, leaving the Tigers finals hopes in tatters.For Penrith, they are now three points ahead of the eighth-placed Gold Coast.Its nice. Were learning and weve improving at the right time of the year, Griffin said post-game.I dont know how far this run will go, but from being involved in the club at the moment, theres that improvement there every week which is what you work for.Griffin said he was most pleased with a defence that limitedd the Tigers, who have scored at least 20 points in seven of their past eight games, to just ten points.ddddddddddddIt was the Tigers lowest score in almost three months.Even though we probably had the game in hand, our defensive effort was as close to an 80-minute one that weve had. Were learning, he said.A few weeks ago, we mightve lost control of that last 20 minutes. Even though it got a bit scrappy, we held our composure with the ball, and defensively.Skipper Matt Moylan steered clear of talking up his teams finals chances.Were just improving each week, he said.The last month of footy weve improved and its been good to see. A lot of the players have matured from the start of the year. Theres a few that are starting to come into their own and its good to see. ' ' '