In 1969, the Cubs had a substantial lead in August, led by Hall Of Famers Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams. At mid-month they led by 8½ games over the Cardinals and 9½ games over the Mets, and the city of Chicago had their sights set on the post-season and the banishment of demons past. But, in classic Cubby fashion they wilted under pressure, and lost key games against those surprising New York Mets. Many superstitious fans still attribute this collapse to an incident at Shea Stadium when a black cat was released onto the field, thereby cursing the club. Others have stated that all the day games that the Cubs had to play contributed them to their collapse. Chicago's summers are quite humid (85-90 degrees Fahrenheit on average), and playing in this heat day after day might have taken its toll (although the average temperature that summer was 71.8 degrees, about the mean. Decades later their drought continues and fans are left only with the small victories of yesterday to celebrate. Offered is a very rare signed baseball from the 1969 National League West autographed by twenty-seven members of the team. In bold blue sharpie are: Mgr. Leo Durocher, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Randy Hundley, Glen Beckert, Don Kessinger, Jim Hickman, Don Young, et.al. The signatures and ONL (Giles) baseball have been graded PSA 7 (NRMT).