Dec 29, 2016 | Sam Sianis
From a letter written by Mike Royko: “I’ve know Sam Sianis for many years and consider him one of my closest friends. He has so many fine qualities, many of them sadly lacking in our present society, that I’m not sure where to start, but I’ll try.”
“Work ethic: If everyone in this country tended to their jobs or businessses with Sam’s diligence, Japan would be up to its collective ears in red ink. Since taking over Billy Goat’s Tavern, he has turned it into one of the country’s best-known bars. He treats his employees fairly and earns their loyalty. In the meaning of service, Sam and his staff treat all of his customers alike, whether they are famous or an old bag lady who wants to sit in the corner to get out of the cold.”
Nobody makes a better flippin’ cheezborger!
Nov 8, 2016 | Mike Royko
We’re sure you and Billy Goat are loving this from above!
May 27, 2016 | Cheezborger, Mike Royko
Mike Royko wrote about Donald Trump several times, and thanks to Google News we can find them in their archives. Check out what Mike had to say about The Donald 25 years ago:
“The Trump stumped for once” http://bit.ly/1XWn2X0
“Trump may be cad or scoundrel, but certainly not a cheapskate” http://bit.ly/1XCw9vz
“2 Trumps are worse than both” http://bit.ly/1sfBzRJ
“Is that Trump’s girlfriend? No, his laundress” http://bit.ly/1WQFvVx
May 24, 2016 | Michigan Avenue, Mike Royko
“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.'”
Nov 3, 2015 | Billy Goat Curse, Mike Royko
The original Billy Goat Tavern on Madison had always been a hangout for sports writers, journalists, and photographers covering Chicago Stadium events. So when the tavern moved to Michigan Avenue it was naturally nestled between the major Chicago newspaper companies. A journalist’s hangout, it inspired numerous columns from some of the greats like Mike Royko, Dave Condon and more. If there ever was a museum dedicated to Chicago newspaper journalism it would start by looking like the Billy Goat Tavern.
Kup’s Column featuring the goat’s ticket from the 1945 World Series:
Mike Royko’s softball team celebrates in the VIP Room:
And the Curse of Murphy the Billy Goat lives on for another year:
