The Billy Goat Curse
Losing and Superstition in Cubs Baseball Since World War II
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About the Book
In 1945 the most famous curse in sports was placed on the Chicago Cubs when Bill Sianis and his goat were ejected from Wrigley Field. Though Sianis purchased two tickets for the fourth game of the World Series against Detroit, the goat’s stench led to the pair’s ouster. The indignant Sianis allegedly cursed the Cubs, promising that they’d never again play in the World Series at Wrigley Field.
More than six decades later, the team has yet to win a pennant. There were years when fortune seemed to pluck defeat from the wings of sure victory. The book focuses on the attitudes of players and fans, as well as attempts to exorcise the curse. It features photographs and interviews of former Cub players, as well as a foreword by Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Gil Bogen
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 228
Bibliographic Info: 41 photos, notes, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3354-4
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Foreword by Ernie Banks 1
Introduction 3
1. The Glory Years 9
2. “Billy Goat” Sianis 28
3. Enter the Goat 36
4. Curse of the Goat 42
5. Disasters ad Infinitum 59
6. Miracle Mets 67
7. A Stunning Collapse 76
8. Running Out of Gas 79
9. Managers Coming and Going 88
10. Hello, Mr. Frey 91
11. Goodbye, Mr. Frey 103
12. Just Plain Bad 113
13. Those Wild, Crazy Cubs 119
14. The Curse Lives On 128
15. As Bad as Usual 141
16. It Never Ends 149
17. Curses and Beyond 152
18. The Kiss of Death 155
19. Wackiest Guys on Earth 159
20. Losing Stinks 162
21. Looking Back 166
22. Righting the Cubs’ Ship 168
23. A Winning Attitude 170
24. A Winning Manager 173
25. Breaking the Curse 175
26. Play Ball 180
Conclusion 189
Chapter Notes 191
Bibliography 201
Index 209
Book Reviews & Awards
- “Interesting…enjoyable”—Nine
