Categories: SPORTS

The Chicago Cubs’ Billy Goat Curse: 1945 World Series Curse Stands the Test of Time

On October 6, 1945, William Sianis, owner of The Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, and his pet goat Murphy were refused entry into Wrigley field before Game 4 of the World Series. Sianis was infuriated and, as legend has it, hexed the Chicago Cubs exclaiming, “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more!”

The Cubs went on to lose the 1945 World Series and have not been back since.

The following is a chronological list of 10 instances The Billy Goat Curse caused baseball fans great despair.

#1 – In Game 6 of the 1945 World Series, only days after the hex, Cubs manager Charlie Grimm inexplicably, and obviously under the spell of the curse, started pitcher Henry Borowy on one day’s rest despite also pitching him in Game 4 and 5. The overworked Borowy was consequently shelled and the Detroit Tigers went on to win the World Series.

#2 – The 1969 Cubs were one of the greatest teams in Cub’s history, but their attempt to break the Billy Goat Curse unraveled in spectacular fashion as they blew a 9 ½ game lead after August 19. During their epic slide, a black cat famously appeared on the field and crossed the path of slugger Ron Santos before pausing in front of the Cubs dugout.

#3 – Following a teammate’s walk off home-run, Ron Santos jumped into the air and clicked his heels. He began performing “the click” after every home win. September 2, 1969, would mysteriously be the last time he performed “the click” despite the Cubs desperate need for a spark in the midst of the historic meltdown. Many feel his showmanship may have incited the curse as he performed poorly down the stretch.

See also Burger Joints Across America

#4 – On September 8, 1969, a game with the second-place New York Mets came down to a play at the plate in which the Mets Tommie Agee was called safe despite being clearly out. Agee admitted after the game that he was out. Two days later, the Cubs would lose possession of first place for good.

#5 – During a crucial Game 5 of the 1984 NLCS, Leon “Bull” Durham was briefly distracted when Gatorade was spilled on his glove before taking the field. Minutes later he let a routine ground ball roll between his legs that allowed a game-tying run, leading to a three-run rally by the victorious San Diego Padres. Durham had replaced Bill Buckner (name ring a bell?) at first base earlier in the season.

#6 – In the bottom of the 10th inning in the 1986 World Series, Bill Buckner let a slow rolling grounder slip between his legs as the winning run crossed home plate. Twenty years later, it was discovered that the Boston Red Sox first baseman was wearing a batting glove with a Cub’s logo on it during the famous error.

#7 – The Cubs were only two outs away from winning Game 2 of the 1998 NLDS when Javier Lopez hit a game-tying home-run. Chipper Jones delivered a walk off hit the next inning and the Atlanta Braves clinched the series the very next game.

#8 – The Cubs were four outs from reaching the 2003 World Series with a 3-0 lead in the 8th inning when the curse struck again. Lifelong Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached for a foul ball and prevented Cubs outfielder Moises Alou from catching the 2nd out of the inning. The hitter drew a walk on a wild pitch.

#9 – Two at-bats after the Bartman incident, Florida Marlins hitter Miguel Cabrera hit what should have been an inning-ending double play ball to MLB baseball’s 2003 fielding percentage leader at SS, Chicago Cub Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez closed his glove too early and booted the ball; all runners were safe and the Marlins went on to score eight runs and win the game. The Cubs were eliminated the next day. Prior to the game, William Sianis’s descendants had tried to bring a goat into Wrigley Field to lift the hex and had been turned away.

#10 – During the 2008 season, marking the 100th anniversary of the Cubs last World Series win, the Cubs won 97 games, tied the N.L. record for All-Stars, and led the league in scoring. Touting the best pitching rotation in baseball heading into the playoffs, they were immediately swept by the L.A. Dodgers in the 2008 NLDS.