Major League Baseball Curses: Chicago Cubs

Let's give a cheer for the Chicago Cubs!!! They made it to first place in their division in August. By the time I finish writing this they will likely have lost that lofty position. That's the life of a Cubs fan. I grew up in the Chicago-land area, so I know all about sports disappointment, and joy. The 1990's were great in Chicago because we had Michael Jordan. The Bears provided some hope in the 1980's with their very first Superbowl appearance and win. They were a very competitive team in the Ditka era. But yet, they too seem to suffer from the curse of the Billy Goat. Perhaps that is because they once played in Wrigley Field before moving to Soldier Field.

I mentioned the "Curse of the Billy goat." If you are not familiar with the Cub's woes then perhaps you have never heard of the Cub's Curse in this way. Many are aware of curses that exist in Major League Baseball, like the Cubs, the Red Sox, and the Chicago White Sox, but perhaps they are not aware of their history. The Red Sox broke their curse by winning the World Series in 2004 and the White Sox broke theirs by winning in 2005. This gives great hope to Cubs fans as it demonstrated that curses could be broken. It also means that the Cubs hold the record for the longest World Series drought in Major League Baseball.

The Curse of the Billy Goat began at the start of game four of the 1945 World Series. The Cubs were playing against the Detroit Tigers. A Chicago barkeeper, Billy Sianis, came to watch the game. He had with him two box seat tickets and his pet goat, Murphy. Mr. Sianis dressed his goat up in a blanket that said "We Got Detroit's Goat". They were paraded about Wrigley field, showing off the decorated animal. Eventually the Cubs owner, Mr. Wrigley, said the goat must leave because of its odor. Mr. Sianis and his goat were asked to leave, which they did. While leaving, Billy Sianis placed a curse stating that there will never be a World Series in Wrigley Field again. Thus began the Billy Goat Curse. The Cubs lost that game and the World Series in 1945 and received a letter from the vacationing Billy Sianis asking, "Who stinks now?" The last time the Cubs won a world series was in 1908. 1945 was the last time they have even been to the World Series.

Since then, the Cubs organization has had other happenings occur that either added to the curse, or simply proved its existence. In the 1969 season, the Cubs show some life and are in first place for much of the season. While playing against the second place New York Mets, Ron Cento the Cubs third baseman, now Cubs Radio Broadcaster, was up to bat when a black cat entered the field and circled him and the field several times. The Cubs fell out of first place two days later allowing the Mets to win the National League Pennant.

On July 4, 1973, Sam Sianis, a cousin of Billy Sianis (who died in 1970) tries to bring a goat to Wrigley Field to lift the curse from the Cubs while they were in first place. The goat was denied entrance and the Cubs lost 16 of their next 20 games. They did not make it to the World Series that year.

In 1984, the Cubs organization invites Sam Sianis and his goat to Wrigley field for opening day. The Cubs won their division that year to play against the San Diego Padres for the National league Pennant. All was good in Cubville. The Cubs were leading the series 2 games to nothing. One more win and they were in the World Series. San Diego would have to win three games in a row to beat them. During game five, the last game of the series, Cubs First Baseman Leon Durham lets a ground ball go between his legs allowing the Padres to win the pennant. In 1989 the Cubs bring more hope when they lose in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

In 1998 Sam and his goat are again invited into Wrigley Field prior to the Cubs one game playoff for the National League Wild Card game verses the Giants. They won but are swept by the Atlanta Braves.

In 2003 the Cubs made it to the National League Championship series. The Cubs were five outs away from winning the National league Pennant when a foul ball was deflected by fan Steve Bartman. This event caused the Cubs to self-destruct and once again miss the World Series.

Next year, 2004, the Steve Bartman ball was exploded at Harry Carey's restaurant in an attempt to remove the curse. The cover of the April 5, 2004, Sports Illustrated magazine proclaims that the Cubs will win the World Series. With nine games left in the season and up by one and a half games, the Cubs lose seven games and don't make the playoffs. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were plagued with injuries and loss.

The 2007 season brings new hope, as does every "next year." The Cubs have a new manager and a potential buyer. The big debate, what to do with Wrigley Field. The investor, at this time, only wants the Cubs, not the park. Why? I propose it's because he wants to remove the curse. It is debated as to the exact nature of the Billy Goat Curse, but many believe that the curse was actually placed on Wrigley Field and not the Cubs. If this is the case, the Cubs, in theory, could make it to and win the World Series if Wrigley Field is not connected to them. Maybe this is the answer; perhaps they need to gather the remains of Billy Sianis, his goat, the 1969 black cat, and the Bartman ball, place them all in Wrigley Field and burn it down to the ground. Many halfhearted attempts to remove the curse have been made the last 99 years, this idea is at least as good as the others already tried.

In 2008 it will be the Cubs one-hundredth anniversary of winning the World Series. Maybe then "Next Year" will finally arrive. If not, then there is always next century!