Tulsa Native, Former Cub Rick Wrona Talks Past, Present Chicago Team

With the curse of the billy goat in 1945, the black cat in 1969, Leon Durham in 1984, and Steve Bartman in 2003, the Chicago Cubs haven't seen many Fall Classics. 

But, they have seen some classic falls.

Tulsa native Rick Wrona says don't blame their misfortune on superstition.

"Do I believe in a curse? I don't believe in it, but they haven't won in forever," he said.

Wrona was a catcher for the "Boys of Zimmer," the 1989 Cubs managed by Don Zimmer team that clinched a division title.

"I just remember when I was a rookie in 1989, I'm in the dugout, they're about to call my name, and Ron Santo grabbed me from behind. He said, 'young man, enjoy this, because this is something me, and Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams, none of us got to enjoy,'" he elaborated.

The Cubs lost to the Giants in the NLCS, but the season was one he would never forget.

"Each and every night we had a different winner had a different guy who was a hero,” Wrona recalled. “The city was electric, and it was my first year in the big leagues, and I was just floating around. It was the time of my life."

The Cubs are back in the playoffs and the electricity is back in Chicago and Wrigley Field. Wrona believes this year's team is poised for a magical run.

"I like their chances against Pittsburgh. I think they'll handle the Cardinals, and we'll see how it goes from there,” he added. “ I like their chances of at least getting to the World Series or coming darn close."

And maybe, just maybe bring a World Series title back to the north side of Chicago.

"The city would go berserk and go bonkers,” he said. “And throw in a black cat, billy goat, and everything else, that would be the ultimate.”