The Curse of the Goat

May 18, 2011

The weather is warming up, spring is finally here, and that means it is baseball season once again. Teams gear up for the long summer games out at the ballparks across the country and hope, in the end, they can continue to play into October and the World Series.

This, of course, brings to mind the always loyal and hopeful Chicago Cubs fans. Their team never seems to quite make it to the World Series. They have not won a World Series game since 1908, and have not played in a World Series since 1945. The reason they have not been to a post season venue is simple. They are "cursed". 

The Cubs home field is Wrigley Field. It was built in 1914, and is also called the "friendly confines". The last time the Cubs played in post season was 1945 against the Detroit Tigers. The World Series began on Oct. 3, 1945. It was the 4th game of the series, and the Cubs held a 2-1 lead over the Tigers. A fan by the name of William “Billy Goat” Sianis was in attendance. He was the owner of a place called the Lincoln Tavern, and owned a Billy goat named Murphy. He attended this particular game and  purchased 2 box seat tickets for $7.50 each, one for him and one for the goat. At first, the ushers allowed him in with the goat. They watched the first half of the game without incident until it began to rain. When the sun eventually came back out and the game continued, other fans started complaining about the smell from the goat and his wet fur. Ushers then forced Mr. Sianis and his goat to leave the ballpark. Irate at being asked to leave, he stood in front of the ballpark and cursed the team. He promised that they would never play in another World Series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost to the Tigers that day 4-1. They lost that series in 7 games. Mr. Sianis changed the name of his tavern to The Billy Goat Tavern, which still operates today. He died in 1970, but the curse lives on since the Chicago team has not been to a World Series game since.

Every year though, hope springs eternal and the luckless Chicago Cubs fans dream of a return to the World Series and breaking a 103 year drought. Go Cubs go!!
 
Donna B. (Cubs Fan)
Blue Springs North Branch