Crowd control: Wrigleyville erupts with joy

CHICAGO — Jimmy Orlandi passed away last summer, one year before the Cubs made history by claiming their first National League pennant since 1945 with a 5-0 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday night at Wrigley Field.

TJ Orlandi, Jimmy’s grandson, carried on the Cubs fandom as part of the excited throng of people making their way to Wrigley Field throughout Saturday’s contest. In fact, the apartment where Orlandi and his friends live on Sheffield, about one-half block from the stadium, became a focal point for approximately 100 fans over the last two innings, with the game being shown on a front-porch television.

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The 38-year-old remembers tougher Cubs’ postseason finishes, such as in 1984, when they blew a 2-0 lead over the Padres by losing three straight in the then best-of-five NLCS.

Game Date Matchup Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 15 CHC 8, LAD 4 Gm 2 Oct. 16 LAD 1, CHC 0 Gm 3 Oct. 18 LAD 6, CHC 0 Gm 4 Oct. 19 CHC 10, LAD 2 Gm 5 Oct. 20 CHC 8, LAD 4 Gm 6 Oct. 22 CHC 5, LAD 0 • NLCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Dodgers

“I remember crying on my grandpa’s lap in Game 5,” said Orlandi on Saturday night. “I was at home. My mom said to go to grandpa’s down the street because he’s a Cubs fan and he’s going to bring you good luck. I cried on his …

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