(Note: Even I am sick of this curse thing and know better than to spread talk about it, but this is a new twist. Plus, the painting turned out pretty cool.)
You all know the story.
1945 World Series vs. Detroit, Billy Sianis brings goat, rain delay makes goat wet and smelly, Phil Wrigley has Andy Frain toss goat, Billy puts curse on Cubs, Cubs losing continues...
You can google it.
Here are the first three that come up:
Wikipedia says: "Sianis was outraged at the ejection and allegedly placed a curse upon the Cubs that they would never win another pennant or play in a World Series at Wrigley Field again.
The Curse Of The Billy Goat says: "...furious over the ejection and placed a curse on the Cubs that they would never win a National League pennant or play in a World Series game at Wrigley Field."
The Year Of The Goat says: "...man and goat stood outside Wrigley Field and Sianis raised his fist, shouting "The Cubs no win here no more!"
Whatever he actually said (if at all) is up for debate, but the consistent thing in the story is the part about Wrigley Field.
That the Cubs would never win a World Series at Wrigley Field.
The logic for the curse being lifted is simple: if the name "Wrigley Field" changes, the curse is irrelevant, and the Cubs are now free to win a world series.
So Curse-Believers, you just gotta hope the name changes even a little, and then you can pretty much skip to 2009 because this year the Series is in the bag.
And for Non-Curse-Believers, I guess lets hope for brilliant baseball and maybe Brian Roberts and Coco Crisp to wander over here.
Lastly, a shout-out to Red Sox fan John Hart, who walked into my office with a big smile and said, "I know how the curse will be lifted..."
Thanks John.
