The Bartman Ball from the 2003 NLCS.
The Cubs fans know all about their team's historic chokes. I do not want to do this, but I feel, to get the point across, here is the list of all of their legendary chokes:
1969
In 1969 the Cubs held a comfortable 8½-game lead in the National League East during the second week of August. They appeared on their way to the playoffs, but on September 9th, the curse visibly raised its head for the first time since 1945. The Cubs were playing the Mets in a key series. The Cubs lost that game, they lost the next day to the Phillies, and from there it was all down hill. They folded like a cheap suit and coughed up the lead; finishing an incredible 8 games in back of New York.
1973
In 1973, the Cubs were once again cruising along, with a large division lead in July. However, they proceeded to lose 49 of their last 76 games and wound up seven games under .500, but only five games out of first in a year when the Mets won the division with an 82-79 mark.
1984
On Friday the 13th of April, 1984, the Cubs decided to try something different and allowed Sam and his goat onto Wrigley Field. It appeared to reverse the curse as the Cubs won the division and took a 2-0 lead in the best of five League Championship Series against the Padres. The Cubs then lost three in a row to blow their chance at the Series. A ground ball that went through first baseman Leon Durham's legs sealed their fate, much to the horror of the Cub faithful.
2003
The Cubs won the division, beat the Braves in the first round of the playoffs, and held a 3-0 lead on the Marlins in the sixth game of the League Championship Series that they had a 3-2 games lead in. Five outs away from the World Series, disaster struck in the form of one of their own fans, Steve Bartman. As a lazy foul ball off the bat of Luis Castillo looked to be coming down in the outstretched glove of Cubs' left fielder Moises Alou, Steve Bartman (who was just doing what any other fan would have done if they were in his shoes)appeared to deflect it enough to get it ot of Alou's Reach. Angered fans were ready to pounce on Bartman; they were ready to lynch him after the Cubs fell apart and allowed the Marlins eight runs before the inning ended. Bartman had to be escorted out under protective custody as the Cubs lost Game Six. He became a lightning rod of anger when the Cubs were beaten in the seventh game.
2004
In 2004 when the Cubs held a couple of games lead in the wild card chase over the Astros late in the season. Naturally, they lost seven of their last nine and failed to reach the post-season. In one vital game they held a 3-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth over, whom else, the Mets, but lost when rookie Victor Diaz hit a three run homer to force extra innings, before a solo Mets' homer beat Chicago in the eleventh to eliminate them from the playofs.
2007
As I see The Cubs get swept by the Marlins, I cannot help but shake the feeling that The Cubs are in a repeat of 1969, 1984, 2003, and 2004. The Cubs are choking away their division lead, and depending on teams like St. Louis and San Diego for help. it's ironic how the Cubs are asking for help from the Padres when these two teams may meet up in the NLDS in October, if the Cubs stay alive.
The Cubs had better turn the page and start anew against Cincinnatti, or this Cubs team will go down with the '69 and 2004 Cubs as choking up the division lead and missing the playoffs.
Both The Cubs and Milwaukee determine their own destiny entering the final weekend of baseball season.
Right Now, Wrigley Field will be open for October Baseball, but will it stay that way?
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