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The Cubs: Breaking The 108-Year Curse

Why the Cubs deserve the World Series ring.

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The Cubs: Breaking The 108-Year Curse
Tyler Putney

Since 1908, Cubs fans have been pleading for another World Series ring. To put this into a little bit of a perspective, the Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series title since before the Titanic sank in 1912, the Ottoman Empire was still in existence and World War I had not yet taken place. This long drought of World Series-less seasons has plagued the Cubs for long enough. Both the fans-- and the club-- are ready to break the curse and finally bring an end to the stigma that surrounds the baseball franchise.

"The Curse of the Billy Goat," was cast upon the Chicago Cubs by William Sianis in 1945. Being a season ticket holder, Sianis brought his pet billy goat to every single home game in Chicago. However, when the Cubs made it to the World Series that year, Sianis was not allowed to bring his goat into the Series' games. After being refused admittance, Sianis was quoted saying, "If I am not allowed to bring in my goat, the Cubs will never win a World Series again." Sianis' words have proved sturdy, as the Cubs still struggle in the post season.

That being said, the Cubs have still had some outstanding years, all finishing with a bitter end. In the year 1969, with an all-star infield filled with Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert, the Cubs needed only 10 more wins to make it into the postseason. It seemed as if the fans would finally see the Cubs make their way to a ring. That was until a black cat walked on the field, made a lap around the batting circle that Santo was standing in, and promptly left the field. The Cubs then lost the next 10 games, allowing the second-place Mets to enter into the playoffs. The Mets ended up winning the World Series, seeming to rob the Cubs of their hopeful title.

In 2003, on October 14, the Cubs once again found themselves in a prime postseason position. Playing the Miami Marlins in the National League Championship Series, the Cubs looked as if they were once again headed to break The Curse. Unfortunately, what is now famously known as "The Bartman Incident" occurred. A fan, in hopes of catching what he presumed, was a foul ball, stole the third out of the inning right out of left fielder Moises Alou's glove. What would have been a momentum killer for the Marlin's turned into a rally inning, as the Marlins eventually took the game, and the series, once again sending the Cubs home without a ring.

If we now take a look at the present day Cubs, the fan base is once again in hopes that The Curse will finally be broken. Before the season even started, the Cubs were predicted to be the team to win it all. With a stacked lineup full of fresh young players including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, and Ben Zobrist, and a pitching rotation to sweep batters off their feet, the Cubs once again look primed and ready to prove their worth.

But will another flop happen? Not likely... and here's why.

The Boston Red Sox faced a similar plague of World Series-less seasons, known as the "Curse of the Bambino," started after the trading of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Similar events happened that draw close similarities to the Cubs tough luck, such as Bill Buckner's missed routine ground ball for the final out of a Post-Season game.

This all changed in 2004, while under the management of Theo Epstein, who helped take the Red Sox to their first World Series win since 1918.

Epstein was brought to the Cubs in 2011 as the franchise President, and under his guidance, the Cubs began to slowly but surely improve their game. Bringing on young new players and experienced veterans alike, Epstein was bound to turn the cursed team around.

Now, with Epstein still in charge, and 2015 NL Manager of the Year Joe Maddon returning at the helm of the club, things are finally starting to look up for the team with the 108-year drought.

Currently leading the NL Central, and battling for the title of "The Best Team in Baseball," the Chicago Cubs are surely on their way to the throne, and will undoubtedly push farther in the Post Season than last year.

To all of the Cubs fans who have waited this long, I salute you, and will cheer for my Cubbies every single step of the way, up until the ring is finally on their fingers.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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