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. Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Adrian Wilson Cardinals Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/hakeem-butler-cardinals-jersey-zj/ . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Andy Isabella Youth Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Kyler Murray Youth Jersey . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mets fans can buy a few jerseys featuring names of players in the teams instructional league.Cespedes jerseys, theyre big sellers.Cone jerseys, available as throwbacks.Of course, those are for Yoenis Cespedes and David Cone, and not the instructional leaguers -- Ricardo Cespedes and Gene Cone. No, the only of the 58 players getting a spotlight in this camp with the Mets is Tim Tebow, the quarterback-turned-baseball hopeful whose No. 15 jersey is already a hot seller even though he has yet to take one professional at-bat.The Mets are cashing in already, and Tebow has a book coming out next month. Yet both the team and its new star of sorts insist this is no publicity stunt, even though the odds seem stacked very high against a 29-year-old former football player finding his way to the major leagues. And its certainly worth noting that the revenue from any Tebow apparel bought off the Mets site gets shared with other big-league clubs.The good thing is that I dont have to say anything, Tebow said when asked what he would say to those who think it is a stunt. I dont.Day 2 of the Tebow experiment with the Mets arrived Tuesday, when he returned to the minor league complex in Port St. Lucie for more running, throwing, catching and hitting. The media contingent chronicling his every move was much smaller Tuesday, and there were fewer fans as well. One man left shortly after the gates opened for Tuesdays workout, saying he went only to get a picture for his grandson.For their part, the Mets players seem fine with the baseball version of Tebowmania. A few even asked Tebow for advice on wholl win college football games this weekend.I think its cool, said Mets left-hander Steven Matz, who was working out on an adjacent field Tuesday and will be back in New York this week. Hes a hard worker. Hes just another player and you can tell thats all he wants to be. Hes just here to work hard and see if he can make the big leagues.Thats why Tebow says hes here.Tebow is taking the workouts seriously. Hes acknowledged that he still has a lot to learn -- even with regard to what equipment he needs to take to the field for practice -- and said he was hoping teammates would be comfortable having him around.To him, this is just playing the game he loved as a kid. Except back then, money wasnt an issue.dddddddddddd It is this time, as is almost always the case in pro sports.Tebow signed a deal with the Mets that included a $100,000 signing bonus. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson defended it earlier this month, saying before a game in Atlanta the team wouldnt spend that kind of money so we can sell a couple hundred dollars worth of T-shirts in Kingsport, referring to the Tennessee city where New York has a rookie league team.But merchandise isnt just on sale in Kingsport -- its everywhere. The Mets web site listed the $119.99 jerseys and $29.99 T-shirts as top sellers Monday, and some fans who didnt want to wait for shipping were lined up at the teams complex on Floridas Treasure Coast to buy Tebow apparel.I heard that was something that they might be selling. What do I think about it? Its cool, Tebow said.Tebow has a book coming out next month called Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Lifes Storms. He wouldnt seem to need baseball as a platform to promote the book; hes an analyst for the SEC Network and his fans are devout, whether hes on TV or not.But he did spend time after his first Mets workout answering questions about the book, talking about how his playing days under Bill Belichick for the New England Patriots ended in 2013.The whole first chapter is about the last two days with the New England Patriots and getting cut from them and what its like and that meeting, walking into coach Belichicks office and being told that youre not enough, Tebow said. And so the goal with this and why its title is `Shaken is every single person in this room and every single person probably in life goes through times when they get told theyre not enough.For Tebow, having a chance to play is enough.He looks at baseball as a way to tell his story a new way. A few weeks ago he was in his native Philippines, saying he hiked into remote areas and helped care for children who faced serious medical problems.Im always grateful for that platform to make a change in someones life, Tebow said. Hopefully for the better.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report. ' ' '