The Infamous Chicago Cubs Curse
The Chicago Cubs are one of the most storied teams in all of sports. The magical Wrigley Field, the legendary voice of Harry Caray, Mr. Cub Ernie Banks, and of course the so-called curses. The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908, and have not even been there since 1945. Since their last win, they have played in the World Series 7 times, and made the playoffs another 6. Yet they have not been able taste the champagne. This lens will explore the supposed curses on this team and how they came about.
In This Lens
The Chances
The billy goat, the black cat, Bartman... they are all great stories, and all supposed reasons why the Chicago Cubs have not been to the World Series since 1945. They have not won the series since 1908. In 2008, the hundred year anniversary of their last championship, they had to win it, right? That would make the greatest story of all. That's how Hollywood would do it.
- 1945 - Cubs face the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Tavern owner William Sianis brings his billy goat to game 4, is kicked out, and claims the Cubs will never win a pennant or World Series at Wrigley Field, as long as they do not allow goats in to the park
- 1969 - Sianis agrees to lift his curse...Cubs in first place most of the season...September in New York, a black cat runs onto the field and stares down Cub Ron Santo...Cubs drop from first place and miss playoffs, while the New York Mets go on to win it all.
- 1984 - The Cubs finally allow another goat into Wrigley Field, finally make the playoffs, but lose three straight to the San Diego Padres to end their season. In the final game, the score was tied when a ground ball went through the legs of Cubs first baseman Leon Durham. Gatorade had been spilled on Durham's glove before that inning, and many fans believed this was a curse.
- 1989 - The Cubs face the San Francisco Giants in the playoffs, but lose 4 games to 1.
- 1998 - The Cubs beat the Giants in a one game playoff to win the wild card. They are then swept by the Atlanta Braves.
- 2003 - Five outs from their first World Series in 58 years, the Cubs collapse...Fan Steve Bartman grabbed a foul ball away from Moises Alou, and the Cubs lost it
- 2004 - The Cubs drop 8 of their final 10 games to lose their hold on the wild card.
- 2007 - The Cubs win the NL Central division, then are swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- 2008 - The Cubs make the postseason for the first time in consecutive years since 1908, with the best record in the National League. They are swept out of the playoffs for the second straight season.
- 2009 - Another year full of promise. The Cubs have made moves to improve their team, and have a great chance to go far this season. Will they make the playoffs? Will they finally get back to the World Series, and possibly even win? Or will one of these curses bring them down?
Great Curse Items on Amazon
Curse? There Ain't No Stinking Chicago Cub Curse: And Other Stories about Sports and Gamesmanship
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 01/04/2010) 
Chicago Cubs MVP Adjustable Cap (Royal Blue)
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 01/04/2010)
The Curse of the Billy Goat
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 01/04/2010)
Are They Real?
I have a hard time believing in curses and superstition. The Cubs of course did not win it all in 2008, they did not even win one playoff game. It is certainly tough to accept that they have not been able to go all the way in over 100 years without some explanation. It is also difficult
to hear them called "lovable losers" and constantly say "wait til next year". The only way to put all of this to rest is obviously for the team to win the World Series. Finally. If the Cubs make the postseason in 2009, it will be the first time they have made it three straight years since 1908, and I am one fan who believes they can make it all the way.
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Cubs Curse on Ebay
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Official Billy Goat Tavern Website
Squidoo Links
- Total Baseball Headquarters
- Total Baseball - A group for anything and everything baseball related
- We Love The Chicago Cubs
- First this lens is dedicated to my lovely wife, daughter and now grandson. These three are the biggest Chicago Cubs fans that ever lived.This lens is all about The Chicago Cubs. We will keep you inform on upcoming events, latest news, great merchandise, some history and the latest stats. So buckle y
- Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller
- Bob Feller is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He is a Hall of Famer, and the Cleveland Indians career leader in victories, strikeouts and complete games. A statue of him stands outside of Progressive Field, and he even has his own museum. At 90 years old, he is still very involved in the g
- Ty Cobb, the "Georgia Peach"
- Ty Cobb played baseball in a completely different era than we see today, beginning his career over 100 years ago. The home run was not the most exciting facet of baseball. Players were with the same ballclub most, if not all of their careers. And managers wore suits.Cobb, a left-handed hitting cente
- Satchel Paige
- Satchel Paige was one of the greatest pitchers that have ever lived. Unfortunately he is not in the record books alongside men like Cy Young, Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson, even though he pitched in four decades.He only pitched 179 games in the Major Leagues, though during his car
- Super Advanced HTML Tips and Tricks to use on Squidoo
- These html tricks for Squidoo are not really that super advanced. But they are super cool! Anyone can do this, Yes, you too!This lens would not be possible if it were not for the groundwork of other lenmasters: specifically, Magicality and N376 so they will be getting some link love here. This lens
Cubs Comments
Would love to hear your thoughts on my lens!
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- a_willow a_willow Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:17 am
- You are one of April 2009 graduates! Come by and answer few questions to show the way to those who will follow! Wish you many, many more great lenses!
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Jun 12, 2009 @ 11:53 am
- Great lens. We are Reds fans but we want the Cubs to win a series in our lifetime. We want to go to Wrigly Field. We'll keep cheering for them.
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- JerryB JerryB Jun 5, 2009 @ 9:23 am
- Nice lens! But then, I enjoy all of your baseball lenses. Guess I'll have to see about adding mine to your group.
http://www.squidoo.com/baseballautographs
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- Mountainside-Crochet Mountainside-Crochet May 29, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
- Great lens. I love baseball, and the Cubbies in particular, and watch them daily. It would be so terrific if they could win a World Series again. I, too, thought 2008 was THE year! Go, Cubs, Go! 5* and my vote in the FSC.
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- Bill_Szcz Bill_Szcz May 28, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
- The Cubs aren't cursed, just a little unlucky when good, but not good for a long enough time. They will have a tougher time when China starts it's own league of 50 teams. The Cubs better win soon for me to see them in a World Series in my lifetime.
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Check This Out...
Taking Care of Business
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 01/04/2010)
A decent movie involving the Cubs in the World Series...We all deserve to dream right?
by lefty78
I am Chris, 30 years old, finally trying squidoo, and really enjoying it so far. Interests are baseball, music, history, movies, and food. Enjoy.
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