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Murphy and the Curse of the Billy Goat

The name “Murphy” holds a significant place in both the history of Billy Goat Tavern and the Chicago Cubs.

  • The owner of the Cubs the last time they won the World Series in 1908 was Charles Murphy
  • The name of the goat Sam Sianis brought to the game in 1945 was named “Murphy”
  • The 1969 Mets General Manager was Johnny Murphy and their announcer was Bob Murphy
  • The site of the 1984 NLCS was Jack Murphy Stadium
  • The MVP of the NLCS was Daniel Murphy. He finished the series batting .529 with 4 homeruns.

Mike Royko and Billy Goat Tavern

On April 29th 1997, we lost a great Chicagoan and friend in Mike Royko. Some thought it would mark the end of an era. However, his legacy of hard work and integrity inspired a whole new generation of writers and reporters. They still come to the Billy Goat everyday to understand what it means to be a real Chicago journalist.

“I miss Mike very much,” Sam says in May 2000. “I see Mike three, four times. Matter of fact, I see him three days ago. Mike come by here. It was when he was dead. I ask him if he remembers when I said, ‘Mike, if anything ever happen to me, I want you to keep the Billy Goat name alive.’ And he nods his head and I tell him, ‘Now that you are gone I am going to keep your name alive. I’m going to make sure your name will live forever.’”