On Wednesday night in Cleveland, the Chicago Cubs bid farewell to their 108 year drought and the curse of William “Billy Goat” Sianis. The Cubs, who were once down in the series 3-1, made an impressive comeback to win the title and end their misfortunes. The curse of “Billy Goat” began in 1945, when the William “Billy Goat” Sianis, then the owner of the world famous Billy Goat Tavern, purchased two tickets to game four of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. He had purchased a ticket for himself and for his pet goat Murphy, the tavern’s mascot. Murphy had a bad odor and many Cubs fans complained, which would then lead to the ejection of Billy Goat and Murphy. Billy yelled on his way out of Wrigley that “Them Cubs, they ain’t  gonna win no more!” An account of the story by historian and author Adam Selzer entitled “Chronicles of Old Chicago,” says that Sianis sent a telegram to Cubs owner Philip Wrigley.  The telegram reads, “You are never going to win a World Series again because you insulted my goat.”

Over the past decades, there have been numerous attempts to lift the ban.  Sianis’s nephew Sam, who now owns the Tavern, has taken a goat with him to opening day several times to try and prove that there should be no hard feelings. Priests in Chicago have blessed the goat in attempt to lift the curse, but that still would not be enough. Fans have even protested. It would take 108 years,  until a young prominent Cubs team could seal the deal and bring a title back to Wrigley, and that is exactly how the story would go.

Chicago began the game with a home run from Dexter  Fowler. The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the third, as Coco Crisp doubled to left field and Carlos Santana singled to right bringing Crisp home to score an tie the game 1-1. Chicago would snap the tie in the top of the fourth inning. Kris Bryant singled to left field followed by Ben Zobrist’s ground  ball. Addison Russell hit a sacrifice fly to center field bringing Bryant home. Zobrist would score as a result of Willson Contreras deep double. More scoring action would come in the 5th inning. Javier Baez gave the Cubs another homer. Kris Bryant walked, but would score after a single from Rizzo.  Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana scored following a few defensive errors form the Cubs and a wild pitch form Jon Lester. Chicago’s David Ross would add another point by hitting a home run in the top of  the 6th.  The Indians would score three runs in the bottom of the 8th to bring the momentum to their side as they tied the ballgame. Jose Ramirez hit an infield single to second putting him on first. Brandon Guyer doubled to right bring Ramirez home. Rajai Davis hit a home run allowing him and Ramirez to score. The ballgame was tied an scoreless in the 9th as a rain shower would delay the game. It  would only be fitting for this wild World Series to end in extra innings. Kyle Schwarber would send a single to right field. Albert Almora would run for Schwarber.  Kris Bryant flied out to center putting him on first and Almora on second. Zobrist doubled to left, opening the opportunity for Almora to reach home. Rizzo would alo score as a result of Miguel Montero’s single to left. It all came down to the bottom of the 100th, as the Cubs needed outs and the Indians needed points.  Brandon Guyer walked and would score as a result of the single from Raji Davis. However, that would not be enough for the win. The Cubs’ defense would come in clutch and end the game.

The Cubs are the 2016 Major League Baseball champions. Ben Zobrist became the first Chicago Cub to  win the World Series MVP award.  The 108 year wait has ended as the Cubs begin their long awaited reign at the top of the league.