It’s a good thing Cubs fans don’t get wrapped up in silly curses because Sports Illustrated is up to its old tricks.
We all remember the ill-fated 2004 SI season preview that featured a glaring Kerry Wood with the words “Hell Freezes Over” followed by the proclamation: “The Cubs will win the World Series.” Sammy Sosa walked out before that movie ended.
This time, SI has unveiled a “throwback” cover that honors the 1908 cover of Sporting Life magazine that featured the World Series-winning Cubs of that year. The new cover replaces the mugs of the old Cubs with the current version, with manager Joe Maddon smack in the middle. SI took creative license and scripted “Cubs Win 1908 World Series” across the top (something missing from the original), then crossed out — in red ink — the 1908 and replaced it with 2016.
Keep in mind, Sports Illustrated is the same publication that made the bold prediction in March that the Cubs and Houston Astros would meet in the 2016 World Series. The Astros failed to reach the postseason.
Twitter was quick to react.
SI picks Cubs to win WS:
— Brad Robinson (@bradrobinson8) October 4, 2016
Cubs fans: "Oh great, thanks for jinxing it, SI"
SI picks another team:
"What the hell, don't you watch baseball?"
Fans will burn down SI if Cubs don't win World Series...#WorldSeries #GoCubsGo
— My Name is (Insert Here) and I HATE YOUR TEAM (@JEMicklos) October 4, 2016
SI put the Cubs on their cover.... 😬 yikes
— mandi (@hey_itsmandi) October 4, 2016
In the past, being picked by SI would spook @Cubs fans. But today? 😳 pic.twitter.com/wrDNIe2RBn
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) October 4, 2016
