A funny comment from our friend Emily in regards to the Pig’s recent slump:
“…if they don’t make the playoffs, I think you should probably have a little heart-to-heart with whoever decided to turn a herd of goats loose in the outfield the other day, knowing there was a Cub in the dugout. Seems to me that somebody was tempting Providence with that little irony. ;P”
While the IronPigs haven’t suffered 103 years without a championship like the Cubs have… it is a funny tale to tell. Did intern Mike curse the Pigs after being charged by 4 goats the other night during the Ghost Rider show? I’m going to say no.
For those non-Cub/non-baseball history folks:
The Cubs have held the “Curse of the Billy Goat” since, when in 1945, the owner of a tavern called The Billy Goat Tavern was asked to leave during a World Series game because his pet goat’s odor was upsetting other fans. (Upsetting other fans? Oh no! Not that! We never have that happen at The Coke…) Claims beyond that initial moment include telegrams saying that the owner, Billy Sianis, sent Cubs owner Philip Wrigley that the Cubs would never win another World Series. History shows they haven’t won a World Series since.
There is also rumor of something called the “Ex-Cubs Factor” where ex Cubs players involved with new teams can carry the curse along with them. Examples given include the Oakland A’s being swept by the Reds in the World Series and Bill Buckner (who’s grounder through his legs kept the Mets alive in the 86 World Series) was an ex-Cub.
Either way, I don’t believe it. I think the season is coming down to the end and the Phillies are doing best for the Phillies with no regard to IronPig fans.. or Reading, Clearwater or Lakewood fans for that matter. When it comes down to it, they are a business focused on winning at the top level and we minor league fans simply get to enjoy having a team and cheering whenever Hambone wins a Pork race.
I do like that the Pigs have had a winning season so far and yes it is a shame that they’ve been slumping due to losing players via promotions and give-aways (Didn’t someone on the Morning Call ask for more give aways recently?)
Do I think the Pigs will make the playoffs? Who knows. They could win, they could lose. Other teams could be impacted as ours has been.
One thing remains the same. This is our town. This is our team. We will triumph no matter what! (And have a lot of fun in the process!)
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
It’s all Ryno’s fault. Better send him back to Chicago, stat. 😉
You know, that was the 1st thing I thought of when Emily posted that! Strange isn’t it??? Ah we baseball people are sooooo superstitious!! As I stated before, it would be a disappointment if the IronPigs don’t make the playoffs but we still tend to forget what the minor leagues are all about, player developement and helping out the big club. Disappointing?? Yeah but we just have to deal with it. At least we’ve seen some winning baseball!
Oink, Oink!!
See my reply under the Aug 2 game. Same thing applies here.