The Curse of the Billy Goat and the Chicago Cubs

In a sports world where fans climb aboard the bandwagon on a whim and surrender hope in their team, people must give credit to the fans of the Chicago Cubs. Not since 1908 have Cubs fans been able to rejoice in a World Series Championship. Over a hundred years has gone by loaded with close calls, curses,suspect trades, Steve Bartman and the birth of a legendary announcer. Having said that, on the Southern end of the city you will come across another Chicago big league team that has since won two World Series championships; The Chicago White Sox. With the third biggest fan base in the Major Leagues and a large pay-roll, what attributes to the Cub's shortage of successes?

Your eldest Cubs fans will let you know about possibly the second most famous curse in sports, second to the 'Curse of the Bambino' that is. The Curse of the Billy Goat. It goes all the way back to the fourth game of the 1945 World Series as the Cubs were facing the Detroit Tigers. The story begins with a Greek immigrant dubbed William "Billy" Sianis, proprietor of Chicago's prominent 'Billy Goat Tavern'. Sianis would routinely sneak the goat into public places, often for coverage to captivate customers to his tavern. And on that day of October 6th, 1945, Cubs staff allowed Sianis and his pet goat "Murphy" to trot onto the field prior to the game in comedy. Sianis had actually purchased a ticket for Murphy. By the 4th inning, many other Cubs fan had become infuriated with the goat's fragrance and thus, Sianis was required to leave Wrigley Field.

There are several variations of the incidents that ensued soon after. Some say that he cursed the Cubs and stated that they would never play in the World Series again. Others say that he said the Cubs would never win another game, period. The Cubs went on to lose the World Series to the Tigers. Following that, Sianis reacted with a telegram to Mr. Wrigley,owner of the Cubs, cursing the Cubs exclaiming "Who Smells Now?" Nearly a year later, Wrigley replied to Sianis with an apology letter demanding that Sianis and his goat start rooting for the Cubs again. Sianis, however, was not prepared to lift the curse until 1969, some 24 years later.

There were many endeavors over the years to put an end to the curse. Most Cubs fans still insist that the curse still persists. Who could possibly forget the black cat that ran on to the field and stared at Ron Santo in the batter's box in 1969? The Cubs would lose the Division lead days later to the Phillies at the worst possible time; September. The Steve Bartman incident could also be attached to the curse. In 2003 while the Cubs were playing the Florida Marlins, five outs away from the World Series, Bartman reached for a foul ball that left-fielder Moises Alou could have effortlessly caught. While the Cubs did possess a 3-0 lead, the Marlins rallied to score 8 runs and win the game. Was this part of the curse or just a negligent fan?

Cubs fans can now find 'Billy Goat Taverns' at a number of locations across the city of Chicago, the authentic tavern being located at 430 N. Michigan Avenue. Today it is 2011, and the Cubs are returning off of a season with 75 wins and 87 losses. Only time will tell if they will ever return to the World Series form that a multitude of Cubs fans deserve. Whether you believe in superstition, this is definitely one to think about.

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