Throughout the Chicago Cubs Postseason run this October, you probably heard all the stories about emotional Cubs fans and how the celebrated the team’s World Series run. But in reading many of these stories, there weren’t faces or voices to them – you’d just read about the Cubs fan who listened to Game 7 at his father’s grave, or you’d read about all of the fans who were paying other respects to loved ones who had passed away before the 2016 World Series.

The latest edition of MLB Network Presents, entitled Joy in Wrigleyville, puts faces and voices to those stories and is sure to tug on your heartstrings.

MLB Network Presents, the original series of documentaries and access-driven profiles hosted by Bob Costas, returns with two new episodes this month. Narrated by actor and Cubs fan John Cusack, the first program relives the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series Championship through the eyes of multi-generational Cubs fans in Joy in Wrigleyville, premiering Thursday, December 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The program features interviews with fans detailing the emotional impact of the Cubs’ championship on the city of Chicago, from Smashing Pumpkins lead singer and Illinois native Billy Corgan and Dutchie Caray, the wife of late Cubs announcer Harry Caray, to Mary Beth Talhami, whose 94-year old mother, a lifelong Cubs fan, passed away during the World Series; North Carolina resident Wayne Williams, who drove to Indiana to listen to Game Seven on his phone at his late father’s grave; and nuns from Chicago’s Felician Sisters Convent, who give a different take on the meanings of faith and curses.

Sights and sounds from the streets of Chicago during the Cubs’ World Series title run are featured throughout the hour-long program, including exclusive footage and interviews at the Wrigleyville Fire Department and Harry Caray’s River North restaurant.

Emotion oozes out of all the stories, from the legitimately sad (a woman’s mother dying after Game 2, and the fan listening to Game 7 at his father’s grave) to the simply adorable (the convent of nuns discussing cursing the Indians). Because of how long it had been since the Cubs even won the pennant, let alone the World Series, people of all ages were affected by their run to the World Championship, moreso than you can imagine from any other fanbase.

The film also encompasses a variety of emotions, from hope, to disappointment, to optimism, to despair, and finally, sheer joy and happiness. It’s rare to see that in a sports documentary, but given that the Chicago Cubs are the featured team, it should have been expected.

I do think, at times, the film was a bit too hyperbolic – but then again, I’m not a Cubs fan, so I can’t actually relate to what the fanbase felt during Game 7. I was also somewhat put off by how much Billy Corgan was featured – let the story of the common fan shine, not a guy who was on the field before Game 7 and sung Take Me Out to the Ballgame during Game 7 of the 2003 NLCS. But aside from that, Joy in Wrigleyville is worth your time and will make you remember that magical World Series run from just over a month ago.

Joy in Wrigleyville airs at 8 PM on Thursday, December 8th on MLB Network.

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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