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The Billy Goat Curse – 8 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, and in an effort to lift the curse 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. They continued their winning, taking the first two games of the National League Championship Series against the San Diego Padres. They just needed to win one of the next three games at San Diego to finally reach the World Series. Sam and his goat waited for the call to go along with the team and ensure the victory, only to be left behind in Chicago.

 

After losing games three and four in San Diego, the Cubs were leading the Padres 3-2 in the seventh inning, with only eight outs needed to win the game and the ace pitcher Rick Sutcliffe at the helm. An eerie chain of events would ensue. A routine ground ball was hit to first baseman, Leon Durham, which dribbled through his legs allowing the tying run to score. An overworked Rick Sutcliffe, who dominated game one, yielded the remaining three runs. The Padres swept the Cubs in San Diego, and swept the Cubs out of the series. The Cubs were still cursed.

One limo, a red carpet, and a goat denied once again

In 1973, Billy Goat’s nephew and new Billy Goat Tavern owner, Sam Sianis, with the help of Tribune columnist, Dave Condon, brought the goat to Wrigley in an attempt to lift the curse. The goat was escorted to Wrigley in a white limousine, and given a red carpet entrance to the park with a sign saying, “All is forgiven. Let me lead the Cubs to the pennant.” The ushers at the entrance denied the goat “Socrates,” a descendant of Murphy, yet again. The Cubs saw their mid-season first place lead wither away to another unsuccessful season.

Baseball is baaaaaaack (and so are we)!

Our Michigan Avenue location is open just in time for opening day baseball! Come in and watch the games. We’ve got plenty of good seats available!

Curses never strike the same place twice. But why take chances?

Baseball is Baaaaaack!

Spring training is here! The Curse may be broken, but you know goats….they’re stubborn. Imagine how many World Series the Cubs would win if they let Murphy the Goat in to see a game.

“Let me in to the ballgame, let me in to the crowd . . .If I can’t get in it’s a shame . . .”

 

What’s more impressive than a triple play? How about a triple cheezborger!

 

 

Can’t make it to The Goat to watch the game? Bring the goat to you. Take home The Cursebreaker, exclusively at Jewel-Osco!

Learn the REAL history of the Billy Goat Curse: https://www.billygoattavern.com/legend/curse/