On October 9, 2015, Stephen Colbert tempted fate by mocking the Curse of Murphy the Billy Goat. With the Chicago Cubs deep in the playoffs, Colbert performed a skit that showed Billy Goat Sianis and Murphy on The Late Show. He proclaimed that the Cubs will win the World Series and proceeded to eject a poor, innocent baby goat. Within ten days of the incident, Colbert had fallen behind both the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Mr. Colbert should have realized that the Curse has plagued the Cubs for 70 seasons. A goat is good luck. Kicking a goat out of your show is bad luck. This is not the way to start out season 1 of your show.
We’re fans of your show, and we want to help you set this right. Our advice is to let the goat in – permanently. Find a way to include him in your show. Embrace your inner goat. At the very least, give him some season tickets. After all, he was only a kid.
The original Billy Goat Tavern on Madison had always been a hangout for sports writers, journalists, and photographers covering Chicago Stadium events. So when the tavern moved to Michigan Avenue it was naturally nestled between the major Chicago newspaper companies. A journalist’s hangout, it inspired numerous columns from some of the greats like Mike Royko, Dave Condon and more. If there ever was a museum dedicated to Chicago newspaper journalism it would start by looking like the Billy Goat Tavern.
Kup’s Column featuring the goat’s ticket from the 1945 World Series:
Mike Royko’s softball team celebrates in the VIP Room:
And the Curse of Murphy the Billy Goat lives on for another year:
This Halloween, stop by Billy Ghost and wolf down a few cheezborgers this Halloween.
Speaking of haunting….the Cubs recently proved that they’re still haunted by the Curse of Murphy the Billy Goat. Do you believe The Curse is real? https://youtu.be/PeBZmnVpcWw
70 years ago, Billy “Goat” Sianis brought his pet goat, Murphy, to the game, hoping to bring his team good luck. Since then, several “Murphys” have horned their way into the legacy of The Billy Goat Curse.
Check out this article that chronicles all of the events that have included “Murphy”, from David Murphy to the 1984 Cubs losing 3 in a row at Jack Murphy Stadium:
On October 15, 1974, The Oakland A’s were preparing for Game 3 of the World Series. They had just lost game 2 to the Dodgers, when owner Charles O. Finley invited Sam and his goat to the game. The A’s went on to win 3 straight games and their third straight World Series Championship.
See Cubs fans, the goat is GOOD LUCK!!! This is how you get a ring! #FlyTheW
