Chicago Cubs ‘Murphy Curse’ – Are they cursed by the name?
After being swept by the New York Mets Thursday night, the Chicago Cubs have assured themselves that they will go at least 107 years without winning a World Series. Many superstitious fans have blamed “The Curse of the Billy Goat” for the Cubs’ misfortunes.
For those who have not heard of it, the Curse of the Billy Goat stems from a 1945 World Series game when Chicago tavern owner Billy Sianis was forced to leave Wrigley Field because the odor from his pet goat was bothering other fans. Sianis was furious at having to leave and infamously declared, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.”
Now for the interesting part. You know what the name of Sianis’ pet goat was? Murphy.
Check this out:
Hmm… pic.twitter.com/X0Nq8FGF6Z
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) October 17, 2015
That eery collection of information was shared before the Mets swept the Cubs in the NLCS. Infielder Daniel Murphy — by far the best player in the postseason thus far — hit a home run in every single game against the Cubs. He collected nine hits total in four games and drove in six runs. He also tied Lou Gehrig by having a hit, RBI and run scored in seven-straight playoff games.
The 1908 Cubs were the last team the franchise had that won a World Series, and they were owned by Charles Murphy. In 1969, the Cubs had a commanding lead over the Mets in their division only to lose 17 of their last 25 games and finish in second. New York went on to win the World Series under general manager Johnny Murphy. The legendary Bob Murphy, who has a booth named in his honor at Shea Stadium, did the play-by-play for the Mets in 1969.
And just for good measure, let’s note that the site of the 1984 NLCS — where the Cubs lost 4-1 to the San Diego Padres — was Jack Murphy Stadium.
You don’t have to believe in curses to admit that the Cubs have had an astonishing amount of trouble with the name Murphy. Daniel Murphy has been winning games by himself this postseason, and his performance resulted in a non-Cubs pitcher having his Wikipedia page hilariously mocked. Still, you know at least some Cubs fans are going to take the “Murphy Curse” and run with it.
H/T The Big Lead
Photo: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports