My very first comment came on yesterday's post. The question, was about the Cubs and the curse of the goat. While I typically don't believe in curses, this is Cubs fans' scape"goat"...
In 1945 a Greek immigrant had 2 tickets to the World Series matchup of the Chicago Cubs versus the Detroit Tigers. Billy Sianis brought along his pet goat for which he had named his local Chicago tavern (The Billy Goat Tavern). After a heated debate with some of the Ushers at Wrigley, Sianis and his goat were allowed to sit in the seats for which he had paid for. The goat wore a sign that said "We've Got Detroit's Goat", as the Cubs were heavily favored to win the series. They were allowed to parade around the field, and afterwards were told to go to their seats. Shortly into the game, it started to rain. Nearby fans started complaining of the smell of wet goat, and Philip Wrigley (Owner of the Cubs and Wrigley Field) told Sianis and his goat to leave due to the odor of the goat. Sianis was so upset about being ejected, that (as legend has it) he placed a curse on the Cubs that they would never win an NL Pennant or appear in another World Series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost that game, and eventually lost the whole series. Sianis sent a letter to Wrigley that simply said "Who stinks now".
In 1945 a Greek immigrant had 2 tickets to the World Series matchup of the Chicago Cubs versus the Detroit Tigers. Billy Sianis brought along his pet goat for which he had named his local Chicago tavern (The Billy Goat Tavern). After a heated debate with some of the Ushers at Wrigley, Sianis and his goat were allowed to sit in the seats for which he had paid for. The goat wore a sign that said "We've Got Detroit's Goat", as the Cubs were heavily favored to win the series. They were allowed to parade around the field, and afterwards were told to go to their seats. Shortly into the game, it started to rain. Nearby fans started complaining of the smell of wet goat, and Philip Wrigley (Owner of the Cubs and Wrigley Field) told Sianis and his goat to leave due to the odor of the goat. Sianis was so upset about being ejected, that (as legend has it) he placed a curse on the Cubs that they would never win an NL Pennant or appear in another World Series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost that game, and eventually lost the whole series. Sianis sent a letter to Wrigley that simply said "Who stinks now".
To this day, the Cubs still have yet to win an NL Pennant since the 1945 season.
As I've said before, in 2003 they came so close, all of Chicago was packing the streets on the night of October 14. The Cubs were within 5 outs away from their first NL Pennant in 58 years. Mark Prior continued to pitch the 8th inning (Dusty Baker truly did overwork his good starters). Luis Castillo hit a foul ball that was playable for Moises Alou out in left field. A fan by the name of Steve Bartman caught the ball, and prevented Alou from getting the ball. Alou was so mad that he threw done his glove and demanded that the umps call fan interference. Interference was not called, and the Marlins went on to rally for 8 points in the inning with a few fielding errors on the Cubs. The Marlins won the game 8-3, and beat them again in game 7 to go onto the world series and win it.
People use things like the Billy Goat, and Steve Bartman to make excuses. Bartman did set off an unusual set of events from a team that was known for it's good defense, but it wasn't Bartman's fault. Other teams even feed off of these curses, for example, fans of Arizona were holding up pictures of a goat in the 2007 NLDS against the Cubs. The Diamonback organization went so far as to fly Steve Bartman to the game.
We need to put these curses behind us. 2008 is a new season, possibly one of the greatest teams the Cubs have had in a LONG time... This is our year...
As I've said before, in 2003 they came so close, all of Chicago was packing the streets on the night of October 14. The Cubs were within 5 outs away from their first NL Pennant in 58 years. Mark Prior continued to pitch the 8th inning (Dusty Baker truly did overwork his good starters). Luis Castillo hit a foul ball that was playable for Moises Alou out in left field. A fan by the name of Steve Bartman caught the ball, and prevented Alou from getting the ball. Alou was so mad that he threw done his glove and demanded that the umps call fan interference. Interference was not called, and the Marlins went on to rally for 8 points in the inning with a few fielding errors on the Cubs. The Marlins won the game 8-3, and beat them again in game 7 to go onto the world series and win it.People use things like the Billy Goat, and Steve Bartman to make excuses. Bartman did set off an unusual set of events from a team that was known for it's good defense, but it wasn't Bartman's fault. Other teams even feed off of these curses, for example, fans of Arizona were holding up pictures of a goat in the 2007 NLDS against the Cubs. The Diamonback organization went so far as to fly Steve Bartman to the game.
We need to put these curses behind us. 2008 is a new season, possibly one of the greatest teams the Cubs have had in a LONG time... This is our year...
1 comments:
hi Andy!!!!
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