"THE CURSE OF THE BILLY GOAT."

They say that with the coming of spring, all hope looms eternal. This notion is especially true when it comes to baseball. More specifically, considering that on opening day, lower tier teams like the Kansas City Royals are exactly even in the standings with everyone else. So with our (South Jersey's) first 80 degree day predicted for tomorrow and with another new baseball season just over the horizon, its time to welcome in our national pastime...and see if a long-shot can overcome their obstacles, to be crowned champions.

The Boston Red Sox are an example of a lower tier team that had rare glimpses at greatness that for decades weren't realized.  But the Red Sox proved nothing is impossible by finally shooting-down their eighty-six-year, "Curse of the Bambino," by winning the 2004 World Series.

BABE RUTH, ARGUABLY THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER EVER...WAS SOLD BY THE BOSTON RED SOX AFTER THE 1919 SEASON.  THE OWNER USED THOSE PROCEEDS TO FINANCE THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, "NO, NO NANETTE."  THIS TRAGIC ERROR LED TO LONG HISTORY OF MEDIOCRITY FOR THE BEANTOWN FRANCHISE AND LENT CREDENCE TO THE SUPERSTITION REGARDING, "THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO."

So who's next to unbridle themselves from a longstanding hex? How about the Chicago Cubs and their, "Curse of the Billy Goat?"

JUNE 30, 2006, AT BASEBALL'S HALL-OF-FAME, IN COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK.  A COOL MURAL OF THE INFREQUENT CUBS BUZZ AROUND WRIGLEY FIELD. 

Although it may be more of a myth with tons of naysayers calling the whole the idea rubbish, the Chicago Cubs organization still labors under this Billy Goat curse.

Apparently, the whammy was put on them by one of their fans, Vasili "Billy Goat" Sianis.  During game-four of the 1945 World Series, Sianis, a local tavern owner bought two tickets for the game...one for him and one for his pet goat, (goat's name might have been, "Murphy."  This point could not be confirmed by press time).

The owner of the Cubs P. K. Wrigley got "wind" of the situation and kicked them both out of Wrigley Field because of the goat's questionable odor. In retribution, Sianis put the kibosh on the Cubs by saying, "They would NEVER win another World Series because they insulted my goat."

MR. SIANIS AND HIS BASEBALL LOVING YET PUNGENT-SMELLING GOAT.

Well, the Cubbies lost that series to the Detroit Tigers, (in seven games) and haven't won the championship since, (or even appeared in a single World Series).

OUTSIDE WRIGLEY FIELD, ERNIE "MR. CUB" BANKS POSES WITH THE BRONZE STATUE MADE IN HIS HONOR. DESPITE THIS LEGEND'S UPBEAT, "LET'S PLAY TWO" ATTITUDE, WE ARE REMINDED THAT THE CURSE OF THE BILLY GOAT PREVENTED GREAT CHICAGO CUBS TEAMS; LIKE THE ONE THAT INCLUDED HALL-OF-FAMERS (IN THEIR PRIME) AS BANKS,  BILLY WILLIAMS, RON SANTO AND FERGUSON JENKINS...TO NEVER EVEN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.

If you take the Cubbies annual exercise in futility one step further--check the record books, they haven't been world champs since,1908.

THIS LIST MIGHT BE FOUR YEARS OLD BUT THE WHAMMY AGAINST THE CUBS HASN'T CHANGED SINCE.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Vasili "Billy Goat" Sianis has made his voodoo stand the test of time. But now, it's spring and as the excitement builds towards 2007's opening day, the Cubs whether cursed or not have the same shot as anyone else...for now.