Epstein: Billy Goat curse can be broken

• Tweet

CHICAGO, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, told a group of about 100 students he believes the team can break the "Billy Goat curse."

Epstein, who was asked about the curse while speaking to the elementary school students at Wrigley Field as part of the Citi Cubs Kids program Thursday, said he believes the Cubs can break their 103-year streak of failing to win a championship, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

"We can break it. If we stick together, if we have a plan, if we support each other, if we keep focused on what's best as a team, and not what's best for the individual, if we work really hard, if we prepare really hard, someday we can turn this thing around, and yeah, we can win," Epstein said.

The Billy Goat curse refers to a 1945 incident when the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern was asked to leave a World Series home game because of the odor from his pet goat.

"Them Cubs, they aren't gonna win no more," the owner is alleged to have said.