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American Morning

Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs Having Hard Time Reversing Curse

Aired October 15, 2003 - 08:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Time to cue up the babe, or the Billy goat. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs having a hard time reversing the curse. Last night, eighth inning, Cubs up 3-0 when this happened. Just when it seemed the Cubs were destined for their first World Series since 1945, a Cub fan intervened. Maybe it was the fickle finger of fate. The Cubs came unglued. Next, after this, an error on the shortstop. Bottom line, eighth inning, eight runs for the Marlins. They win it 8-3. They force a deciding seventh game later tonight. Wow.
"Sports Illustrated" writer Danny Habib was an eyewitness at Wrigley last night. He's here today to talk about it.

How are you, Danny?

Good morning to you.

A better question, how's the town today?

DANNY HABIB, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED": The town, I believe, like me, is still rubbing the disbelief out of its eyes.

HEMMER: Yes, a bit stunned, do you think?

HABIB: Yes, that would be an understatement.

HEMMER: Should that umpire have called interference? Or was it too close, do you believe?

HABIB: All replays appeared to show that the umpire made a correct call because the ball was -- had not broken the plane between the wall and the field. And so the fan was within his rights to attempt to catch on a bal that was technically out of play.

HEMMER: So you think, based on what we're seeing here, the call was accurate then?

HABIB: Yes, it was Moises Alou who made a nice play by reaching over into the stands for the ball.

HEMMER: Could they have appealed that, though, or did they last night?

HABIB: No, I think Dusty Baker conceded it was the right call.

HEMMER: Are they talking about the Billy goat? HABIB: You know, it's funny, because that's the one question the Cubs have done a terrific job of deflecting throughout the post- season, questions about history or about the curse or about sort of the legacy of the franchise. And they've resisted questions about history, about fate sort of fawning upon the Cubs.

But after an incident like last night, it's difficult to dis, you know, it's difficult to disbelieve.

HEMMER: I think the last part of your answer is a bit more accurate, actually. Do you think they're feeling the weight of the history, the weight of the moment? By the way, this was the videotape of that fan who was led out by security guards. They were concerned about his safety last night.

HABIB: Yes, and rightfully so, because the crowd, at the end of the eighth inning when the fan was escorted from his seat, had sort of an uneasy lynch mob aspect to it.

As far as the weight of history goes, I don't think these particular players feel it, because many of them have not been Cubs for very long. A number of them have come in the last off season or during the middle of this one. But a play like that, what it does is sort of refocus the attentions of the team from baseball on the field and the task at hand, and it begins to admit distractions.

HEMMER: Very true.

Fill in some holes for me on my Chicago Cubs history here. There's a Billy Goat Tavern in downtown Chicago. Is it the place where the famous "Saturday Night Live," John Belushi skit, cheeseburger, cheeseburger? 1945, the owner had always brought his Billy goat to the Cubs game, wasn't allowed to go into the game. He stood outside Wrigley Field and said the Cubs, so long as they play in this park, will never again see a World Series.

Accurate or not?

HABIB: I believe it's accurate. But I also believe that the curse was, if such things can be done, revised in 1984, not that's it's been any help.

HEMMER: Because we know what happened in 1984. They had a lead in the post-season, headed for the World Series, and they blew it then, as well.

Quickly, I know you're in Chicago. Have you paid much attention to the Red Sox and the Yankees coming back to Yankee Stadium today?

HABIB: I think it's impossible not to pay attention to that series, especially when 72-year-old men are tackled to the ground.

HEMMER: I would say that's probably right, yes.

Predictions today? Or do you do that, Danny? HABIB: Well, if my prognosticating skills were any good, I'd be betting horses for a living, so no. But if I had to guess, I would say it goes seven games and the Red Sox win today.

HEMMER: Yes. Maybe we'll flip a coin, huh? It may be a little more accurate.

Watch out for the Billy goats roaming the streets of Michigan Avenue.

Thanks, Danny.

HABIB: My pleasure.

HEMMER: Danny Habib for "Sports Illustrated."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Curse>


Aired October 15, 2003 - 08:22   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Time to cue up the babe, or the Billy goat. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs having a hard time reversing the curse. Last night, eighth inning, Cubs up 3-0 when this happened. Just when it seemed the Cubs were destined for their first World Series since 1945, a Cub fan intervened. Maybe it was the fickle finger of fate. The Cubs came unglued. Next, after this, an error on the shortstop. Bottom line, eighth inning, eight runs for the Marlins. They win it 8-3. They force a deciding seventh game later tonight. Wow.
"Sports Illustrated" writer Danny Habib was an eyewitness at Wrigley last night. He's here today to talk about it.

How are you, Danny?

Good morning to you.

A better question, how's the town today?

DANNY HABIB, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED": The town, I believe, like me, is still rubbing the disbelief out of its eyes.

HEMMER: Yes, a bit stunned, do you think?

HABIB: Yes, that would be an understatement.

HEMMER: Should that umpire have called interference? Or was it too close, do you believe?

HABIB: All replays appeared to show that the umpire made a correct call because the ball was -- had not broken the plane between the wall and the field. And so the fan was within his rights to attempt to catch on a bal that was technically out of play.

HEMMER: So you think, based on what we're seeing here, the call was accurate then?

HABIB: Yes, it was Moises Alou who made a nice play by reaching over into the stands for the ball.

HEMMER: Could they have appealed that, though, or did they last night?

HABIB: No, I think Dusty Baker conceded it was the right call.

HEMMER: Are they talking about the Billy goat? HABIB: You know, it's funny, because that's the one question the Cubs have done a terrific job of deflecting throughout the post- season, questions about history or about the curse or about sort of the legacy of the franchise. And they've resisted questions about history, about fate sort of fawning upon the Cubs.

But after an incident like last night, it's difficult to dis, you know, it's difficult to disbelieve.

HEMMER: I think the last part of your answer is a bit more accurate, actually. Do you think they're feeling the weight of the history, the weight of the moment? By the way, this was the videotape of that fan who was led out by security guards. They were concerned about his safety last night.

HABIB: Yes, and rightfully so, because the crowd, at the end of the eighth inning when the fan was escorted from his seat, had sort of an uneasy lynch mob aspect to it.

As far as the weight of history goes, I don't think these particular players feel it, because many of them have not been Cubs for very long. A number of them have come in the last off season or during the middle of this one. But a play like that, what it does is sort of refocus the attentions of the team from baseball on the field and the task at hand, and it begins to admit distractions.

HEMMER: Very true.

Fill in some holes for me on my Chicago Cubs history here. There's a Billy Goat Tavern in downtown Chicago. Is it the place where the famous "Saturday Night Live," John Belushi skit, cheeseburger, cheeseburger? 1945, the owner had always brought his Billy goat to the Cubs game, wasn't allowed to go into the game. He stood outside Wrigley Field and said the Cubs, so long as they play in this park, will never again see a World Series.

Accurate or not?

HABIB: I believe it's accurate. But I also believe that the curse was, if such things can be done, revised in 1984, not that's it's been any help.

HEMMER: Because we know what happened in 1984. They had a lead in the post-season, headed for the World Series, and they blew it then, as well.

Quickly, I know you're in Chicago. Have you paid much attention to the Red Sox and the Yankees coming back to Yankee Stadium today?

HABIB: I think it's impossible not to pay attention to that series, especially when 72-year-old men are tackled to the ground.

HEMMER: I would say that's probably right, yes.

Predictions today? Or do you do that, Danny? HABIB: Well, if my prognosticating skills were any good, I'd be betting horses for a living, so no. But if I had to guess, I would say it goes seven games and the Red Sox win today.

HEMMER: Yes. Maybe we'll flip a coin, huh? It may be a little more accurate.

Watch out for the Billy goats roaming the streets of Michigan Avenue.

Thanks, Danny.

HABIB: My pleasure.

HEMMER: Danny Habib for "Sports Illustrated."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Curse>