How many of you know about Billy Sianis’ goat? Sianis, a local tavern owner, tried to bring his goat into Game 4 of the 1945 World Series at Wrigley Field, only to be turned away. And so it was that Sianis, whose tavern remains a must-stop for Chicago Cubs’ fans, put a curse on the Cubs, vowing they never again would play in the Series. So when the Cubs lost this past week to the Florida Marlins for a chance to play in the World Series many people were blaming the curse.
They were also blaming Steve Bartman. Bartman is the kid who reached over the wall in game 6 of the playoffs which gave Florida a homerun that may have otherwise been caught. Bartman is the most-hunted man in Chicago since Al Capone. TV helicopters have been hovering over his house, reporters have chased his every step, and squad cars have been on round-the-clock surveillance in his neighborhood. Cubs fans may be blaming him for centuries to come for spoiling their chance to get to the world series.
Curses… Steve Bartman… I say to all those Cubs fans… get over yourselves. It was not a goat or a kid that prevented the Cubs from moving on to the World Series, it was the Cubs poor playing. The Cubs were up 3 games to 1 in a best of seven. They lost three games in a row, including two at home. They can’t blame curses or fans… they can only blame themselves.
It is time that we take responsibility for our own actions. As the Prophet Ezekiel declares in verse 31 of chapter 18, “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit.”
There are no more excuses.