Wrigley Field

The second oldest ballpark in the country still in operation, opened in 1914. Home to the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field has accumulated over a century of baseball history and legends, including several resident ghosts connected to the team.

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs since 1914, may be built on cursed ground. The construction of Weeghman Park (as it was originally called) is rumored to have disturbed an old burial site, and the stadium sits in the path of the Haidan Totem Pole—a replica brought to Chicago whose faces allegedly changed positions and was believed to contain supernatural power.

The most famous supernatural legend is the Curse of the Billy Goat. On October 6, 1945, tavern owner William "Billy Goat" Sianis brought his pet billy goat Murphy to Game 4 of the World Series. When they were ejected because of the goat's strong odor, the outraged Sianis declared: "You are going to lose this World Series... You are never going to win the World Series again because you insulted my goat." The Cubs lost the series to the Detroit Tigers and wouldn't win another World Championship for 71 years.

Strange occurrences plagued the Cubs throughout the curse years. In June 1969, a black cat appeared on the field during a game and walked between the dugout and Ron Santo before the Cubs suffered a devastating loss. The incident is credited with helping derail their playoff hopes that season.

Fans tried everything to break the curse. In 2008, a Greek Orthodox priest doused the dugout with Holy Water. When Pope John Paul II visited Chicago, fans attempted to bribe him with "a lifetime supply of baseball park franks and season tickets" to lift the curse. In April 2013, a severed goat's head was delivered to the stadium.

Some paranormal enthusiasts speculate that the ghosts of former Cubs—including beloved figures like Charles Grimm, Steve Goodman, and legendary announcer Harry Caray—haunt the Friendly Confines. Others suggest it's the spirits of the Chicago Whales (the original team that played at the park) who lingered to torment subsequent occupants.

The curse finally ended in dramatic fashion in 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series after 108 years of championship drought—though some believe the supernatural energy within the ivy-covered walls will never fully dissipate.