Chicago Cubs fans relish their rain-delayed victory celebration

CHICAGO -- An AC/DC song blared from Wrigley Field's speakers as Anthony Rizzo hoisted the World Series trophy above his head and led his teammates across the outfield.

Next to the scoreboard, the Cubs' 2016 World Series championship banner fluttered in the breeze. Rizzo wore a smile as big as the bleachers as fans roared and music boomed.

"I tell you folks/It's harder than it looks/It's a long way to the top/If you wanna rock 'n' roll"

Rizzo handed the glimmering World Series trophy to Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and turned toward the dugout.

After all, the burly first baseman had a game to play. He had another championship to chase.

Forgive Cubs fans if they plan to keep the party going. They waited 108 years for moments like this. They woke up every spring and went to bed every winter wondering when their time would come.

Now, it's here.

On Monday night, the Cubs returned to Wrigley Field for the first time since they faced the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Fans arrived early and happily endured a lengthy rain delay before the start of pregame ceremonies.

Two thousand miles away, former Cubs catcher David Ross was preparing to perform live on "Dancing with the Stars." Little did Ross know that his performance would air on the scoreboard during the delay. More than 40,000 fans cheered his dance steps as if he were crossing the plate.

"David Ross, right on cue," Ricketts said with a laugh as he waited near the Cubs dugout.

The bad weather cleared, and the ceremony began.

Cubs players lined the field for pregame introductions. Fans strained their vocal chords screaming for Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez and the rest of their North Side heroes.

Julianna Zobrist, wife of World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, belted a rendition of "God Bless America." Wayne Messmer followed with the national anthem, just as he sang it in the World Series.

Next was a video tribute from last season. The scoreboard showed the final out of the World Series as Bryant scooped a ground ball and fired a strike across the diamond to Rizzo. Fans lost their minds at the replay as if they were watching the play happen for the first time.

Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery empathized with the fans' reaction.

"I still get emotional watching the highlights from last year," said Montgomery, who got the save in World Series Game 7.

As video highlights played, Cubs players walked across the outfield and disappeared through a gate in right-center field. They would raise the World Series banner as a group.

A total of four banners went up. Ryne Sandberg lifted the 1907 World Series championship banner. Ferguson Jenkins had 1908. Billy Williams elevated the 2016 National League pennant.

Then it was the modern-day Cubs' turn. Rizzo and his teammates pulled the 2016 World Series banner into view next to the famed center-field scoreboard.

Manager Joe Maddon savored every moment of the ceremony. He said the banner was not simply for one team or one season. It was for generations of believers who filled seats during good times and bad. It was for thousands of players and coaches who wore the uniform before the 2016 club.

That is why Maddon invited Don Zimmer's 83-year-old widow, Soot, as a special guest for the game. Don Zimmer managed the Cubs from 1988-91 and worked alongside Maddon in Tampa Bay.

"It's being part of something bigger than you," Maddon said.

Cubs players will receive their World Series rings on Wednesday night. That moment, while special, represents an individual recognition of every player who gripped a baseball or swung a bat in 2016.

The banner is for the fans.

"I've been in every ballpark in the big leagues, and there are some really good ones, great fan bases and wonderful traditions," Maddon said. "But there's just something different about this place. ... There's a passion about it."

The Cubs are loaded with talent again this season. Another World Series title is absolutely possible.

For a night, however, fans lived in the moment. They didn't worry about what might happen next.

They deserved to celebrate.

It's a long way to the top.