Happy Groundhog Day from your friends at Billy Goat!
Six more weeks of winter? That’s just a silly curse. According to Greek legend, if the Goat sees his shadow on February 2nd, it means the Cubs will win back-to-back World Series!
1984 – EIGHT OUTS AWAY
The Tribune Company, new owners of the Cubs, finally invited the goat to opening day at Wrigley Field in an attempt to lift the curse, Sam Sianis and his goat finally walked the grass of Wrigley Field. Sam raised his hat and said, “The curse is lifted.” The Cubs won and won and won their way to their first post season game and division title in almost forty years. Sam and the goat again walked the field during Game 1 of the playoffs resulting in 2 consecutive home wins, but when they were left behind in Chicago while the cubs got swept in San Diego. With 8 eights left to get to the World Series, a routine ground ball went through the legs of first baseman, Leon Durham, sealing the fate of the cursed cubs and ending their World Series hopes.
The Most Successful Greek in the World
Billy Murray is hungry and that is why we are walking towards one of the Goat’s red-and-white-checkered tables. He is here in June 1999 to promote a book he has written, Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf. Waiter Tito Chacon recognizes him immediately.
“Bill Murray,” he says. “You are the funniest.”
“The funniest what?” says Murray.
Sam sees Murray and walks over. The two men hug.
“How’s your oldest boy?” asks Sam.
“He’s huge,” says Murray, whose two grown sons have been coming to the Goat since they were kids. “He could swallow both of us. All he needs is a couple of tattoos.”
The two men talk for awhile. A couple of pictures are taken.
“I saw the new place of yours over by the United Center.” Murray says. “For a minute I thought they’d run you out of here.”
“No, no,” says Sam. “I always will have this place.”
“Sam, you’re the most successful Greek in the world,” Murray says.
“You help make that happen,” says Sam.
“Don’t blame me,” says Murray.
…from the book A Chicago Tavern a Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream
Mike Royko and the Dollar Bill Eating Goat.
This story is from the book “A Chicago Tavern” and was told by Tim Weigel:
“One night after a loss, we headed to the tavern to lick our wounds and gargle a few beers. After a while Sam brought a goat in for a drink. The goat smelled pretty bad and Mike kept feeding the goat $1 bills. Then some one hands Mike a $10 bill and the goat eats it. Just a couple of minutes later the goat lets loose with a fusilade of pellets on Mike’s shoes. Seeing this, Sam yells from behind the bar, ‘Hey Mike. He gave you change.”
‘Slam dunk a few cheezborgers before Bulls’ games at Billy Goat!
Get a jump on the Bulls game at Billy Goat on Madison. We’re at Ogden and Madison, just blocks from the United Center. We even have free shuttles to Bulls’ games–your feet. Come for a pre-game part or a post-game celebration!
LET’S GOAT BULLS!