Last Time The Cubs example essay topic

The "Billy Goat Curse" Its game six of the National League Championship Series, the Cubs lead the series 3 games to 1 over the Florida Marlins; it's the 8th inning of the sixth game with the Cubs leading 3 to 0. The Florida Marlins are up with a runner on first and only 1 out. The batter, Derek Lee, hits a pop fly down the left field line one row into the stands, Moises Alou, the Cubs' left fielder, reaches for the ball but before he could grab the ball a fan reaches up and knocks it away from him. The Cubs would go on to lose game six 8 to 3, and would later go on to lose game 7, and the series. After game 6, many people, including fans and the media, believed that the actions of this one fan cost the Cubs there one chance to end the 95 year drought and the curse of the Billy goat.

In my speech today I plan on giving you a brief history of the Cubs, what the Billy goat curse is, and the fans reaction to the losing, and the curse. On Oct 6, 1945, a Greek tavern owner by the name of Sam 'Billy goat's siannis, (he was nicked named the Billy goat because of his goatee), bought box seats for himself and his goat. It was the 4th game of the World Series, the Cubs having had won 2 out of 3 in Detroit. They came back to Chicago favorites to win it all. In the past, and all entire season, he was allowed to bring his goat to the games. This time, however, management said no.

Siannis and his goat were escorted out of Wrigley Field. Not happy with what was going on; Siannis stopped in the middle of Wrigley field, threw both arms up in the air and yelled, 'There will never be another world series played at Wrigley Field". The Cubs beat the Detroit Tigers in the 1907 and 1908 World Series. This would be the last time the Cubs would win the World Series, a 95 year drought. The Cubs would go on to have some success in the following decade, winning the pennant (their division) in 1910 and again in 1929 both times losing in the first round of the playoffs. Another pennant came their way in 1932, and this time they would go all the way to the World Series only to lose to the New York Yankees, on Babe Ruth's called shot.

The Cubs would go on to win another pennant in 1935 and again in 1938. Once again in 1938, they would make it all the way to the World Series only to loose yet again. Many noticed the ominous pattern. One reporter even gave them the nickname of the loveable losers.

In 1945, they would get yet another chance at the World Series, this time losing to the Detroit Tigers. This would be their last time playing in a World Series, a 58 year drought. From 1940 to 1966, the franchise had 26 losing seasons and finished last 6 times. In 1969, behind the bat of Ernie Banks, it looked like the Cubs might win it all. They were leading the league for much of the season, only to be overworked, and eventually caved in down the stretch. Once again, from 1973 through 1983, they had no winning seasons and finished last four times.

Since then, they have gone on to win two more pennants in 1984 and 1989, only to lose in the first round of the playoffs both times. Last year, 2003, the Cubs went on to win yet another pennant and this time making it all the way to the league's championship series, only to lose a 3 games to 1 lead. How has this one particular team suffered a 58 year drought in between World Series visits, with stars such as Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Sammy Sosa? The answer to this question to many people is simple, the curse of the Billy goat. The best example of the curse in action, prior to this past season, was that of the 1969 season. Behind the 47 home runs and 120 RBI's of Ernie Banks, the Cubs had a 13 game lead with only 2 weeks left of the season, but do to overuse and tiring they gave every game back to finish a game back to the Mets and miss the playoffs.

On July 4, 1983, Sam Siannis, the grandson of the Billy goat, tried to make everything better. But despite a rented limousine, a red carpet and a sign that read 'All is forgiven. Let me lead the Cubs to the pennant". But once again he and the Billy goat were turned away at the door, and so the Cubs continued a march of mediocrity, until last year. Only needing 1 more game with 3 to play, what happens, the Cubs loose 3 straight to the Marlins. And the fans are left once again saying 'Wait till next year.

' This leads me to my final point. What do the fans of the Chicago Cubs think about this 95 year drought of no World Series titles; and the curse itself? In an article written by Jay Mariott i, published in the Chicago Sun Times before last years playoffs started, "many lifelong Chicago Cubs fans were asked a series of questions. Such as how do you feel about a 95 year losing streak?" John Holler, a 30 year season ticket holder, just laughs and says it something you can came to expect, but you always have that 'wait till next year" attitude because nothing can last forever, right. When asked 'Do you believe in the Billy Goat Curse', George Sullivan simply answered, "What else could make a team go on a 95 year drought?" Marlin Brown, a season ticket holder for the past 10 years, was asked what he would do if the Cubs were to win the World Series within next five years? He smiled and answered, "I'd party for the next hundred years, because it only comes around every hundred years".

In conclusion, the Cubs may or may not win a World Series in our lifetime, but if history repeats itself, they will have had their chance. The Billy goat curse may or may not be to blame for all this losing, but the one bright spot for the Cubs, are their fans. Despite the amount of losing, Cubs' fans still believe, next year is the year.