HAZLETON -- It's been more than 100 years since the Chicago Cubs have won a World Series title, but this year they're getting close. And it's all under the helm of Hazleton native Joe Maddon.
In Pennsylvania, there are a lot people rooting for the Phillies, Pirates, and Yankees. But the fan base in the Hazleton area is growing a soft spot for the Cubs ever since Joe Maddon took over as manager.
Now they have something to cheer about, and Maddon's family says this is the year.
A celebration in Chicago is making its way to East Broad Street in Hazleton.
The manager of the Chicago Cubs Joe Maddon called Hazleton home for many years. His family still lives there, and Maddon's mom couldn't be happier for her Joey.
"I'm very proud of him. He's accomplished quite a bit and we love it," said Albina Maddon.
His sister Carmine Parlatore says she's been watching every Cubs playoff game.
"Didn't miss a second," she said.
If you take a look at Parlatore's shop on East Broad Street, you'll find old pictures of the Cubbie's manager.
His sister says this is where it all started.
"He's present. He's the manager, he's the man and I don't think he gets nervous. I don't think it shakes him up. This is what he was meant to do."
Maddon is no stranger to playoff baseball. He won the World Series as a coach for the Angels in 2002, and made it to the series as a manager for the Tampa Bay rays in 2008.
But his family says this time he's taking home the World Series ring as a manager of the Cubs.
"This is it. This is it! I mean, this is it! Oh, my God, to get this far? I feel like he already won."
Whether you're a Cubs fan or Joe fan, "a lot of people in Hazleton are saying, 'go Cubbies.'"
If you're a fan of the movie "Back to the Future," you'll remember that Marty McFly travels to 2015 and sees a news report saying the Cubs win the World Series. Maddon's family says they saw the movie come on TV the other day and it's all just meant to be!