Curses

James Dean's Porsche Spyder, King Tut's tomb, the Hope Diamond...all allegedly cursed items that bestowed doom on their owners. Sports has its share of curses too. Boston's Bambino curse lasted 83 years. In Chicago, the billy goat curse has foiled the Cubs since 1945. The Sports Illustrated cover curse has not focused on any one city or team, but many claim is just as ominous.

As the opening game of the World Series nears, another sport's curse could affect the outcome. That is the curse of Billy Penn. For nearly 100 years, no building was constructed that was higher than his statue perched atop City Hall. Philly's last championship was the 1983 76ers. In 1984, One Liberty Place opened and was taller than Billy Penn. No major sport team has won a championship since despite several opportunities. Will this curse continue? We'll know by Halloween. - as ever BB

A true Philadelphia knows the dark secret of Billy Penn's statue. Do you?