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CURSED NO MORE: THE CHICAGO CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES AFTER 100 YEARS

cubs-shot100px-Chicago_Cubs_Logo_svgI have waited over five decades, but I can check off one of my bucket list items. This evening I was able to watch the Chicago Cubs win the World Series with a commanding performance. We can now begin our new era as the “lovable losers winners.” The USA Today has posted my column on the victory.


Everything has happened in this series. Leading at one point 5-1 and then seeing it evaporate. First there was the scare in the bottom of the 5th inning with Lester. Then a clearly tired Chapman blows the 8th inning and produces a tie. Then to have a rain delay followed by Zobrist’s hit on that cutter to bring in the run in the 10th. Then Montero brings in a run with another hit on a cutter. Then the Indians get a run from Edwards to make it a one run game at 8-7. It was both glorious and torturous. However, in the end, the Cubs prevailed.

I also cannot say enough about the incredible Cleveland Indians.  I have said all along that, if we had to lose to any team, I would choose the Indians. What heart they showed tonight in fighting back from a 5-1 deficit.  They are an awesome team with an awesome fan base.

img_5757Of course, my family will claim the distinction of defeating the Billy Goat curse after hosting four goats at the house to make amends for the 1945 insult. A dozen kids spoiled the goats in an homage to the noble beasts. After the event, we won that night and every night after that. Sure it might be just in our heads, but we had a load of fun.

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I have been watching the game while enjoying the classic beer for Cubs games Pabst Blue Ribbon. Not as bad as I recalled when I bought a case for the World Series. We also used to drink two truly dreadful beers: Hamm’s and Schlitz. PBR was the best option of the three in my view. Maybe it was the victories but the PBR tasted a lot better in this series.

This has been a wonderful season for me and all Northsiders. I remember catching balls outside of Wrigley with a transitter radio at my ear and a glove in my hand. The balls were hit by greats like Ernie Banks, who showed me how to break in my first baseball glove. We have had great players and great seasons but never were able to close the deal. Every year, I would tell my kids that this is our year. Now it is.

 

33 thoughts on “CURSED NO MORE: THE CHICAGO CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES AFTER 100 YEARS”

  2. A Goat is a Goat. A Goat all the way!
    From its first day at Wrigley.
    To it’s last dying day!

  3. Somewhere, a Budweiser-buzzed Harry Carey is slurring, “Holy cow! Cubs win! Cubs win!”

  6. How close was it? 1) It was game 7 (can’t get closer), 2) It was tied after 9 innings (can’t get closer), 3) It was won by 1 run (can’t get closer)

    Oddly the visiting team won every game.

  7. I have no skin in the game here but I do have a question. Who will all the masochist back now?

    1. Having no vested interest in a game is a blessing. For you can appreciate a game based upon good ball play alone and not encumbered by favoritism.

      Nevertheless I am happy for our host to have won.

      1. Darren – it is like betting one 100-1 horse and having it come in finally. I am glad Jonathan got his win but would you put 4 goats in the back yard so you team would win? And even when I was drinking, Pabst was not a good beer.

        The Diamondbacks won back a ways because the owners bought a winning team. After the championship they sold the players off. We haven’t done diddle since. We do have a lovely ballpack with a retractable roof.

  8. I made a few “Whammies” on behalf our host for the Cubs against the Indians to win the world series.

    Whammies can be the most powerful force in the universe if the gods agree. No baseball team is safe.

  9. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

    WooHoo! Cubbies!

    Still can’t believe it. OMFG it actually happened. My dad lived and died without it happening, and I never dared hope that it could happen in my lifetime…

    BUT IT DID!!! THE CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    (please pardon all the exclamation points; i promise i’ll only do that every 108 years)

    1. To heck with that promise. THE CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. My daddy Rick from Highwood Illinois,north of Chicago, would be soooooo proud and happy. This is for you Papa Rick. Rest in peace.

  12. I didn’t know they still made Hamms, Schlitz or PBR. I remember t.v. commercials for Hamms when I was a little kid in the 6Os. I was fascinated by the black and white bear log-rolling on the water to the tom tom drum beat. “Hamms, the beer refreshing…” I’ll have that tune stuck in my head tomorrow, lol.

    1. Though my cousins in Oregon beg to differ with respect to Hamms, Animal Beer (Schmidt) was the college choice of intoxicants back in the mid 1980’s when I was in High School and College. My roommate in my freshman year of college was convinced Heidelberg was the cheap college brew of choice. But he was mistaken. Heidelberg was nasty.

      1. When I was in college out west, Coors was the beer of choice. But the hard core partiers preferred Rainer Ale, AKA “the green death.” It was brewed in Washington state, and I believe had a higher alcohol content than regular beer. But my dad was blue collar, as well as a cheapskate, so he drank Burgie (Burgermeister), Hamms, Oly (Olympia) and probably other low-end brews that I can’t remember. And then there was Hudie (Hudespohl), who’s advertising slogan was “Get moody with Hudie.” I remember a small blurb in the newspaper about some guy who was drunk and slugged it out with three cops. The headline? “Got Moody.”

  13. What an exciting game! I thought the Cubs had it sewn up; then they were about to lose it towards the end when Edwards seemed rattled or tired. But suddenly, the curse was gone! Thank you goats!

  14. Joe Maddon is one of my favorite managers. He is a superb motivator. But, he managed like a guy who has been close several times and had it slip away. The players he loves and love him picked him up and covered his mistakes. That’s what being a team is all about. Congrats to JT and the many Cub fans whose balls I have busted for decades.

  15. Our “I ain’t afraid of no goat” tee shirts worked!!!! Go Cubs. One of the best World Series games that I’ve ever seen. Congrats to Cleveland for putting up a great fight.

  19. I hadn’t watched a big league ballgame in years, till this one ! Way to go, Cubbies !

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