This week we're lifting curses, rooting for underdogs and celebrating Bill Murray's World Series victory.
Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binge-ing television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them.
This week, we're exploring the sports world and its history, full of heartbreak, unbridled celebration, curses and redemption. We'll also talk a little bit about Bill Murray, America's cool, fun uncle.
The Cursed Cubs of Chicago
Recommended Pairing: A deep dish pizza chased with polish sausage and Goose Island Bourbon Barrel Stout.
The last time we talked sports in this column LeBron and his Cavaliers of Cleveland had just upset the historically dominant Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, rallying back from being down three games to one in an epic comeback. Up to that point, Cleveland was a cursed city (at least in regards to sports) — a perpetual punching bag and punch line.
The Browns gave us "The Fumble":
Michael Jordan skied over Craig Ehlo, crushed their dreams and gave us "The Shot":
The Indians and Chief Wahoo gave us, well, not much besides Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn and a ragtag tribe of outcasts:
The only team with a richer tradition of losing was the Cubs of Chicago and their curse of the billy goat. But wouldn't you know it, 2016 gave us an epic comeback in the NBA to break the curse in Cleveland and now it's given us an epic comeback in the World Series to make the perennial lovable losers the champions — over Cleveland no less.
Amazing right?
Let's recap this fucked up year. 2016 took Prince, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder, Alan Rickman, Gary Shandling, amongst others — and gave us the World Champion Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Now it's teasing us about a potential Donald Trump presidency or a "historic" Hilary Clinton presidency.
I think the world is broken.
