Slump If you go with DirectTV I can PM you my account number and I believe we both get a hundo towards the bill. I would suggest DTV over Dish I have had both and even comcast. I hated comcast with a passion.

I am liking the Rangers over the Devils still

I doubt the Coyotes will have enough to come back on the Kings

Kings Vs Rangers should be a good match up.

and then there is the Cubs..........................OYE

Hail Hail the streak is dead! the Cubs finally win.

Plus Soriano is actually hitting .272 avg. and 6 dingers! Keep it up and we can trade him out of chicago

Cant wait for the start of the cup series Kings vs Devils. It should be a good one

The curse of the Billy Goat was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans. He was outraged and declared, "Them Cubs, they aren't gonna win no more," which has been interpreted to mean that there would never be another World Series game won at Wrigley Field.

The exact nature of the curse differs in various accounts of the incident. Some state that Sianis declared that no World Series games would ever again be played at Wrigley Field, while others believe that his ban was on the Cubs appearing in the World Series, making no mention of a specific venue. Sianis’ family claims that he dispatched a telegram to team owner Philip K. Wrigley which read, “You are going to lose this World Series and you are never going to win another World Series again. You are never going to win a World Series again because you insulted my goat.”Whatever the truth, the Cubs were up two games to one in the ’45 series but ended up losing Game 4 and the best-of-seven series, four games to three. The curse was immortalized in newspaper columns over the years, particularly by syndicated columnist Mike Royko, and gained widespread attention during the 2003 postseason when Fox television commentators played it up during the Cubs-Marlins match-up in the National League Championship Series.

Sam Sianis, nephew of Billy Sianis, has been brought out onto Wrigley Field with a goat multiple times in attempts to break the curse: on Opening Day in 1984 and 1989 (in both years, the Cubs went on to win their division), in 1994 to stop a home losing streak, and in 1998 for the Wild card play-in game (which the Cubs won).

In 2003 (incidentally, the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Goat), a group of Cubs fans headed to Houston with a billy goat named "Virgil Homer" and attempted to gain entrance to Minute Maid Park, home of their division rivals the Astros.After they were denied entrance, they unfurled a scroll, read a verse and proclaimed they were "reversing the curse." The Cubs won the division that year and then came within five outs of playing in the World Series but were undone by the Florida Marlins' eight-run rally immediately following the Steve Bartman incident. They then lost the following game and with it the series (the Marlins went on to win the World Series against the New York Yankees.) Further salting the wound, the Astros earned their first World Series berth two years later (they would be swept by the Cubs crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox).

In another bizarre twist, it was reported that a butchered goat was hung from the Harry Caray statue on October 3, 2007, to which The Chicago Sun-Times noted: "If the prankster intended to reverse the supposed billy goat curse with the stunt, it doesn't appear to have worked." While the Cubs did win the NL Central Division title in 2007 and 2008, they were swept in the first round of the playoffs in both years: by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008. The elimination by Arizona came on October 6, the same date that the goat appeared at Wrigley Field in 1945.

The act was repeated before the home opener in 2009, this time a goat's butchered head being hung from the statue. The act was futile as the Cubs were eliminated from postseason contention on September 26, 2009. Cubs fans have also brought in priests that have blessed the field, stadium, and dugout.

On April 1, 2011, a social enterprise called Reverse The Curse, dedicated to bringing innovations to Poverty by giving goats to families in developing countries, was initiated.The goats provide the family with milk, cheese, and alternative income to help lift them out of poverty. Reverse The Curse has expanded into reversing the curses that afflict the world's children in Education and Obesity.

On February 5, 2012, a group of 5 Chicago Cubs fans calling themselves Crack the Curse set-out on foot from Mesa, AZ to Wrigley Field. They brought along a goat named Wrigley whom they believe will be able to break the Curse of the Billy Goat upon arrival at Wrigley Field. Additionally, they are trying raise $100,000 for the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Facility.

According to three interviews with Sam Sianis, William Sianis' nephew-in-law, the Curse of the Billy Goat can be dispelled only by the Chicago Cubs organization's showing a sincere fondness for goats; allowing them into Wrigley Field because they genuinely want to and not simply for publicity reasons. (According to an account in the Chicago Sun of October 7, 1945, the goat was turned away at the gate, and Sianis left the goat tied to a stake in a parking lot and went into the game alone. There was mention of a lawsuit that day, but no mention of a curse.)

 

Another factor that may play a role in the curse is the number of players (40 of them are listed below) who won World Series titles after leaving the Cubs. These players include Andy Pafko (who, coincidentally, played in the 1945 World Series as a Cub), Gene Baker, Smoky Burgess, Don Hoak, Dale Long, Lou Brock (whose first title was in 1964 after a mid-season trade to the St. Louis Cardinals), Lou Johnson, Jim Brewer, Moe Drabowsky, Don Cardwell, Ken Holtzman, Billy North, Fred Norman, Bill Madlock, Manny Trillo, Greg Gross, Rick Monday, Burt Hooton, Bruce Sutter, Willie Hernández, Joe Niekro, Dennis Eckersley, Joe Carter, Greg Maddux, Joe Girardi (as both a player and a manager), José Vizcaíno, Glenallen Hill (after his second stint with the Cubs; his title came in 2000 after a mid-season trade), Luis Gonzalez, Mike Morgan, Mark Grace, Mark Bellhorn, Bill Mueller, Scott Eyre (whose title came in 2008 after he been traded from the Cubs during the season), Tom Gordon, Matt Stairs, Jamie Moyer, in 2010, Mark DeRosa and Mike Fontenot—the former of whom had been traded the offseason before, the latter having been traded that midseason, and in 2011, Ryan Theriot who was traded the previous season. Dontrelle Willis and Jon Garland were traded as minor leaguers, and Tim Lincecum was originally drafted by the Cubs — coincidentally, in 2003, the same year as the Steve Bartman incident.

 

Main article: Ex-Cubs Factor This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Conversely, the "Ex-Cubs Factor" seemed to plague many a post-season qualifier that had too many former Cubs. This theory reached its zenith in 1990, when the factor "predicted" that the Oakland Athletics were "doomed" in that year's World Series, and the A's were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in a stunning upset (coincidentally, then Reds manager Lou Piniella became the Cubs manager later on). In the 2001 World Series, however, the Arizona Diamondbacks faced the Yankees with three ex-Cubs on their roster and not only won the Series in dramatic fashion, but won it on a rally started by Mark Grace, an ex-Cub, and ended with a base hit by Luis Gonzalez, another ex-Cub, effectively discrediting the "Ex-Cubs" theory. The only other time a team of numerous ex-Cubs won the World Series was in the 1960 World Series where the Pittsburgh Pirates also defeated the Yankees in dramatic fashion off of Bill Mazeroski's homerun in Game 7. The 1960 series occurred before the theory had been coined.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, who was blamed for Boston's 1986 World Series loss after a routine ground ball rolled through his legs, was also a former Cub. It has been recently uncovered that at the time of the play (and in many other instances), Buckner was wearing an old and tattered Chicago Cubs batting glove under his fielding glove. However, Buckner's error could also have been a result of Boston's own legendary curse, which was itself shattered in 2004.

Former Cub pitcher Mike Krukow (who went on to play for the San Francisco Giants and is currently a broadcaster for them) is alleged to be the source of the legendary "Krukow Kurse". The "Krukow Kurse" is used to explain the Giants' fifty-two year failure to win the World Series while in San Francisco. Before the start of each season, Krukow states on his radio show his usual optimistic prediction that the Giants have a chance to ultimately win the World Series. Once Krukow stops making such preseason predictions, says the legend, the Giants will in fact win the World Series. The Giants finally won the World Series in 2010.

Another former Cub, Mitch Williams, also suffered from World Series heartbreak in 1993 when, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, he gave up a legendary walk-off home run to Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays in the 9th inning of Game 6, handing the championship to Toronto.

Cubs probably going to set a MLB record for loses this season. Theo going to let team hit rock bottom then he'll get run out of town in 5 years after they fail to win a pennant under his ivy league sweater vest smarts, lol.

Cubs need to start sacrificing animals on the field to appease the baseball gods. Bring in a water buffalo from Cambodia and machete it to death like they did in Apocalyse Now for starters then move on to other animals like small dogs that serve no purpose other than bark annoyingly that pretty girls carry around.

Kings vs Devils tonight in SCF! Kings fans long suffering so I guess I'll root for them. Don't want to see fatso Brodeur hoist another Cup.

Who knows if season starts on time next fall so we should enjoy this.

Nice Article Alf! I dont believe in the curse, I think it all boils down to stupid player decisions. Which the Cubs have a long history of.

As for Hockey...........word is on the street (internet boards) that there may be a 2 month lock out. Owners are stating that the first two months of the season they lose money.............HA! That is due to other sports that are going on at the oct 1 start.

Yeah I hope that the Devils win the next 2 games to force a game 7. Who knows when we will see NHL hockey again, a two month lay off will put it in December.

2-1 right now in Milwaukee in the 8th..............I have no expectations for the Cubs this season. All I want is for Soriano to do well so we can dump him onto another team.

Kinda funny this thread is at the top of the board.


Hey the draft is coming up on the 22 of the month who do you want?

Blackhawks need a Goalie or at least thats what I would draft. I would stay away from the Russian kid though.

I'll tell ya what blk, they better have hockey starting in October as usual, or else I (and millions of other fans) will be super pissed.

Hey Blk .. hope the world is treating you well ..

hockey is still trying to recover grownd from the lost season .. a lockout would severely hurt  the sport .. AGAIN ..

I feel they will get it done on time ..

Hey Flyers Yeah I will be one of the millions pissed off with ya!!!!!

PCK good to hear from ya man yep its all good. Just takin things one day at a time. Hope all is well with you, have you been playing baseball (Darts) lately? I found a bar (Jeddys) in Brighton that has two of those boards.

If they dont get it done in time it will be a major set back for sure!!!!

BTW my yahoo is messed up so I may not have the same NHL league over there...............that is if there is a need to have a league.

As of this second I am a HUGE Celtics fan, I am hopeing that they knock off Miami tonight.

Switched over to a regular dart league a few years ago .. electronic boards .. 301/cricket/501 league .

dartball is fun though ..

Ahhh I too have picked up the plastic tips. One day in the very near future I am going to venture up to that game place on hwy 100 in search of good darts. I have been in a league the past two falls. I need to throw some steel tip to get better at plastic

Really hope the Devils can find a way to win the next two games against the Kings to force a game seven. The worst time of the year is when hockey season ends.

BB14 starts in about a month!!!! Can't be worse than last seasons winner and floater lame metalhead that Evel Dick hated along wiht his daughter.

Game 3 or AHL Calder a joke decider in OT

AHL statement regarding Game 3

<!--http://theahl.com/ahl-statement-r
egarding-game-3-p177908--> <iframe class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-none" style="width: 76px; height: 20px;" title="Twitter Tweet Button" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.1338995330.html#_=1339307416718&count=none&id=twitter-widget-0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Ftheahl.com%2Fahl-statement-regarding-game-3-p177908&size=m&text=AHL%20statement%20regarding%20Game%203&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheahl.com%2Fahl-statement-regarding-game-3-p177908" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"> </iframe> <iframe style="width: 90px; height: 21px; overflow: hidden; border-style: none;" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://theahl.com/ahl-statement-regarding-game-3-p177908&layout=button_count&show_faces=true&width=90&action=like&font=arial&colorscheme=light&height=21" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"> </iframe> June 8, 2012

TORONTO ... American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews has issued the following statement:

“We have spoken with Toronto Marlies management and confirmed that a rules interpretation error by the on-ice officials occurred on the Norfolk Admirals’ overtime goal during Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals.

“On the play, a dump-in from center ice by a Norfolk player caromed off a stanchion and into the Toronto net. The correct application of AHL Rule 83.4 would have negated the Norfolk goal due to a delayed offside call.

“As AHL By-Laws do not allow for any change to the final result of a game based on an incorrect rule interpretation, the result of the game stands.”

Play was offsides but hey that stanchion had the Marlies goalie name on it, lol.

Norfolk won the AHL title the TB Lightningaffiliate with Tokarski in net. Maybe Luongo or Thomas may not be need  by Stevie  Y as TG in Tammp next season.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/26
36f66424/do-you-have-coke

Need I say more. The Asians are way ahead of us, lol.

Go Devils I guess. Got  a few players on both teams i can root for.  Henrique a former Windsor Spitfire GWG dude legend continueing legacy.

blk your Hawks got a much higer draft pick than  my Wings in draft. I expect a sorry draft for Wings unless they trade up. They need defense and left wingers.s

Yep bb......... I think they should have a jello wrestling segment for the ladies. Actually I am waiting for J wow and snookie show to start. I would watch without sound, just like looking at jwow lol hey your draft might not be as bad as you think. It's a deep draft for blueliners this year. I susspect the Blackhawks will go goalie then defencemen one two.

Gamemaster is the place ... I have 16g tungsten darts ... done well by me .. had a 25 ppd last season ..

the heaviest soft tip allowed by NADA is 18 g ..

set of tungsten 16g runs about $50 there .. 18g about $55

always good to catch up with you friend ..


and looks like the Devils are giving you your wish ..

Yep thats the place, I didnt know the name but just knew where it is.

I am tossing 18g, but they are cheap darts. I have the small flights on them now. Thinking about going 16g with the larger flights to see what that does. You are much better than I am, last season I was a 19 ppd.

Did you throw in the Wisconsin Tourney? I believe it was a week or two ago.

Congrats to the Los Angles Kings and thier fans on winning the Stanley Cup!

Ok on to the Draft! I am hoping that the Blackhawks select Malcom Subban with thier 18th pick. He is the best North American Goalie in the draft. Aslo he is P. K. Subbans little brother. Most likely they will draft a small non physical foward to go with the rest of thier collection. Not really high on the job that SB has done so far, its learn as you go with him.

Then there is July 1 where I see very little movement for the Blackhawks. Its a CB year so with no deal in place I think its a conservitive approach. We have learned this is not how cups are won (see the 2011-2012 Kings). Its been a Chicago Cubs quote of "wait till next year" for the hawks these last two seasons. I hope they brush off the Cubs dust soon.

Could be a very busy weekend in the NHL.............Trades Trades Trades oh and there is the Draft.

Rumor has it the Blackhawks could be busy, I so hope Kane is moved out of the UC. He can take his off season NHL/Jersey shore side show with him.

Haha you see that awards show? Erin Andrews walked out on stage and cbc cameras panned on crowd and some had look on faces like what is she doing here, lol. Seen pornstars walking in high heels with bow legs not as wide, wow seriously.

Two homoerecticuses from Glee and Modern Family tv shows on stage, what the.... bettman joining in with trend gays are cool lol. Surprised he didn't have sean every present the lady byng, hey oh.

Wings draft 49th Friday so I'm hoping for a another trade, this time maybe a roster player trade to get a higher pick. Hudler and Holmstrom I don'texpect back next season, both I would say 90%+ solid rumors.

Dug those Shanaban skits last night though, lol. Poor Shanny lost his sense of humor it seems looking upset during skits.
Course during one of skits they sucked bettman tiny d making him look respectable, pfft. Shanahan sold out bettman and now he's the punchline while bettman escapes it during award show that's how employer/employee works I guess in their front office.

NHL schedule came out and only one game between Wings vs Habs and Leafs is once each. Feel sorry for this generation that only knows the bettman era NHL. I miss the old rivalry days.

Great news! csi miami cancelled! Music tribute by bettman approved and drunken horatio cain actor with wide stance to keep from falling over. Thank god this turd of a show is done.
http://screen.yahoo.com/goodbye-csi
-miami-29616463.html?pb_list=23dce613-c500-43f0-9134-70e
58b73187a
Redheads in Miami are a bad fit much like Brian Campbell the lady byng winner is, lol. People like that can't be exposed to the sun down there.

Who plays next years award show Justin Bieber? NHL so out of touch with fans.

HAHA yeah that whole thing was pretty much a joke, aside from the shanahammer skits and Nickelback.

I just went to see them a couple weeks ago in Milwaukee, great show.

Hmmmm.........The Blackhawks draft...........meh. I guess it was good that the finn slid down to the 18 slot. You have to wonder why, however I think it all comes down to size. He is like 5'10 or so, every pick before him all were 6 foot or taller. He does have skill and just turned 18 so maybe he will gorw a few inches. He also needs to eat something, weight is 160ish. He wont be on the big club for 2 or 3 years any way.

Big Cubs sell off on the way............

speaking of sell offs...........the Blackhawks better make some moves and not expect to make a tweak here and a tweak there. Two years in a row they proved they have built a one and done team, I hope its not a hat trick.

Not an Erin Andrews fan eh? I wouldnt push her out of bed LOL