The Cubs started the 1994 season horribly, losing twelve home games in a row. Their worst home start in history. In an effort to end this streak, Sam Sianis and his goat went to Wrigley Field only to be denied entrance yet again. Amidst the chant of “Let the Goat in!” amongst the Wrigley crowd, Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks helped by escorting Sam and his goat into Wrigley. The Cubs won the game 5-2, ending their worst home start ever. A lesson learned?
Hilary Clinton visited Billy Goat Tavern on the campaign trail and got a batting lesson from Ernie Banks.
This is a rare picture of the ORIGINAL Goat. In the summer of 1934 it fell off a truck on Madison Street. It wandered hurt into the Lincoln Tavern and met William Sianis, the tavern’s new proprietor. William nursed it to health and promptly adopted it naming him “Billy”. When William got the nickname “Billy Goat” he grew out a goatee and changed the name of the Tavern to “Billy Goat’s Inn.” Hence began the era of the Billy Goat Tavern.
From the day the first goat stumbled into the Tavern, the Billy Goat Inn became a circus of animals. There were numerous goats, from beer drinking to dollar bill eating, but mostly beer drinking. There was Ruby the cat, a duck named Suzie Q, elephants, mules and numerous other visitors. An avid animal lover, Billy offered the tavern as their home, even hosting a waiting party for a pregnant Ruby the cat which included a mini hospital bed, nurses and all.
This year, make a resolution you can keep.
We hope all of you have a happy and healthy 2015. Happy New Year!
