Boston sports fans were forced to live (and die) with the Curse of the Bambino, until 2004, when the Red Sox won their first World Series title since 1918. They topped the Chicago Cubs that year, and it just so happens that the Cubbies are in town this weekend for the first time since that series defeat.
Chicago's National League representatives haven't won the big one since 1908 but have reached the Fall Classic seven times since winning it all. They haven't made it to baseball's main stage since 1945, also known as the year of Chicago's most famous curse. The Curse of the Billy Goat.
The first three games of the 1945 World Series were played in Detroit and the final four at Wrigley. The Cubs won two of three in Detroit and were heading back to Chicago with home-field advantage. In Game 4 of the Series, however, the Curse of the Billy Goat was laid upon the Cubs when P.K. Wrigley, disgusted by the odor of ejected Billy Sianis' goat (Sianis, of course, brought his goat to Game 4), he kicked the animal out of the ballpark. As he was leaving, legend has it that Sianis said "The Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more." They lost Game 4 and would go onto lose the Series and haven't even made a return visit since.
Now that's a curse.
Other popular curses still circulating are the Madden Curse and the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx.
The Madden Curse began in 1999, when video game creator EA Sports decided to start using players for the cover instead of its namesake, John Madden. The first player ever to appear on a Madden cover? San Fransisco's own Garrison Hearst, of course. Hearst didn't even get to play in '99, as he broke the fibula bone in his left leg on the first play from scrimmage in the 1998 NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons in January. He'd miss the entire 2000 season, as well, and would score just 16 rushing touchdowns over the next four years — or 16 rushing touchdowns in the six years since appearing on the cover.
Other athletes, whose play declined (or were injured shortly thereafter) after gracing the cover were Shaun Alexander, Daunte Culpepper, Donovan McNabb, Troy Polamalu, Brett Favre, Ray Lewis, Marshall Faulk and Eddie George.
As for the Sports Illustrated Cover Curse, results have literally been fatal.
The Jan. 31, 1955 cover featured skier Jill Kinmont. She would crash in Utah that very week and was left paralyzed from the chest down. The May 28, 1956 cover featured Indy 500 Winner Bob Sweikert. Less than three weeks later he is killed in a sprint car crash.
As for local ties, there are plenty, as seen below.
The Sept. 26, 1988 cover featured Dwight Evans, who promptly goes 4-for-30 in a two-week span. Speaking of the Red Sox, the Oct. 11, 2003 cover featured the Chicago Cubs and Sox — both in their league's respective championship series and both teams would go on to lose big time. Steve Bartman and the Marlins beat the Cubs thanks to the fan's interference, while the hated Yankees beat the Sox in walk-off fashion.
As for the most painful SI cover curse to hit New England, the 2008 NFL Season Preview featured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on the cover. Brady tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee minutes into the season opening game to the Chiefs.
Which of these curses is "best" or most-potent? Share your thoughts below.
