South Bend Cubs to Become Los Cabritos Maldichos for Select Games in 2020

SOUTH BEND, IN - As part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversión ("Fun Cup") initiative, the South Bend Cubs are proud to join 91 other Minor League teams as they will become "Los Cabritos Maldichos" ("The Cursed Goats") for five games during the 2020 season. 

Copa de la Diversión, or Copa for short, began in 2018 and is described by MiLB as a "season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams' local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities."

Los Cabritos Maldichos refers to the 71-year-long Curse of the Billy Goat that was placed on the Chicago Cubs during the 1945 World Series. While fans were forced to wait quite some time, this curse was finally broken when the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series. By becoming "Los Cabritos Maldichos," South Bend honors and celebrates our Latino players and the Latinx community both in the stadium and throughout the community by spotlighting their contributions to our nation and national pastime.

This partnership with MiLB aims to provide authentic and culturally relevant experiences to connect with Hispanic/Latinx community while amplifying MiLB's continuous effort to diversify the game and business of baseball nationwide. In 2018, MiLB brought Copa to life with the help of 33 teams. In 2019, 72 teams participated in the initiative. The 2020 season will boast as the biggest Copa year with 92 teams.

One of MiLB's core values is community, and this value is at the core of Copa. In taking the time to celebrate Latinx culture and individuals, the community is made even stronger and even more inclusive.

"Being involved in the South Bend community is an essential part of who we are as an organization," said South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart. "We are thrilled to join a national program celebrating the contributions and growing influence of Latinx culture in our game and in our community."

"We're excited to see another local company working to connect with our community," said Sam Centellas, Executive Director for La Casa de Amistad. "We have proudly hosted players in our building for events, partnered on special events with the South Bend Cubs and looking forward to the 2020 season!"

La Casa de Amistad is a not-for-profit, charitable organization, which functions as a community center on the west side of South Bend. It was founded in October 1973 as a youth outreach program in response to the many needs confronting Hispanic teenagers. Founded by Fr. John Phalen, C.S.C., La Casa de Amistad offers various programs in an effort to assist Hispanic youth in self-acceptance and knowledge of the Hispanic culture of which they are a part.

The logo of "Los Cabritos Maldichos" itself contains an abundance of hidden allusions to the Chicago Cubs and the famed curse. Ivy and baseball stitching can be found on the goat's face, while the roman numerals "CVIII" are found in the collar, alluding to the 108 years that passed between Cubs Championships.

Copa games will include authentic Latino food items, live music, on-field performances, player recognitions, special giveaway items, and a brand-new Copa-specific on-field look that will be released in March. Los Cabritos Maldichos apparel is now available for purchase at the Cubs Den Team Store and by clicking here.

About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 32 seasons, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.