The Greek Who Cursed the Chicago Cubs

On November 2, 2016,  the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1908 breaking the longest drought for a professional team without a title in American sports. The theory behind the long wait for the Cubs to celebrate an MLB Championship is that a curse was set on the team in 1945 by a Greek immigrant, Vasilis Sianis.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game 7 of the MLB World Series to win the series 4-3 and their first MLB Championship since 1908.  Additionally, it was the first time the Cubs have appeared in the World Series since 1945 - the same year they were cursed by a Greek immigrant, Vasilis Sianis.

Let us start from the beginning... Early in the 20th century a man named Vasilis Sianis left his home in Palaiopyrgos, Arkadias to begin a new life in the United States. In 1934, he opened the now famous restaurant, Billy Goat Tavern, in honour of his beloved goat who was the mascot of the Tavern.

The goat named Murphy was saved after falling off of a truck and was soon loved by many in Chicago. However, little did anyone know that Murphy would be involved in one of the biggest curses in sports.

Vasilis (changed his name to William) took his goat Murphy to game 4 of the 1945 World Series at Wrigley Field where the Cubs faced the Detroit Tigers and contested their 3rd Championship after 1907 and 1908.

The Cubs were down 4-1 and the frustration was evident throughout Wrigley Field in Chicago. The nasty smell of the goat, along with the fans frustration, caused the fans to complain and the team’s President, Philip Wrigley, ordered security to remove the goat from the stadium. Vasilis Sianis was offended by Wrigley’s decision and as he left the stadium he said "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more." The Cubs went on to lose the series (after being up 2-1) and since that day, the fans believe their team was cursed as they did not return to the World Series until this season.

Vasilis Sianis never stepped foot again in Wrigley Field and on October 22, 1970 he passed away. And that is not all...46 years later on that same day, October 22, 2016, the Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in game 6 to advance to their first World Series since the curse of the Billy Goat. Possibly a coincidence? Draw your own conclusions...

* Image Source: gazzetta.gr

*For more sport agonasport.com

Read also The World’s Best Vineyards in Greece