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Goat’s head delivered to Wrigley Field

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FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2011 file photo, Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts smiles outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, a package containing a goat's head was addressed to Ricketts and was left in a box outside the ballpark. Ricketts is currently in negotiations with city officials and neighborhood business people about the $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

CHICAGO >> The Chicago Cubs found a severed goat’s head at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, and they’re treating the cruel reference to a longtime curse as a crime.

Chicago police are investigating the delivery of the head addressed to Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts after they responded to a call around 2:30 p.m. indicating an “intimidating package” had been received.

Cubs spokesman Julian Green said Thursday staff at Wrigley Field discovered the package and immediately called police.

“Obviously, it’s just an unfortunate fan doing something pretty stupid,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

Ricketts is currently in negotiations with city officials and neighborhood business people about a $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field.

The goat is a prominent part of Cubs lore. In 1945, tavern owner Billy Sianis was refused entrance to a World Series game — he even appealed to the Cubs’ owner — because he was told the goat smelled bad.

Since then, the Cubs haven’t been back to a World Series.

The current Cubs, however, weren’t intimidated by the gesture.

“That’s probably just an upset fan or a fan of another team,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said before the Cubs played the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. “My opinion it’s just dumb, but it is what it is.”

Pitcher Jeff Samardzija was disappointed with the lack of creativity.

“Very original since it’s only been around for 60, 70 years,” pitcher Jeff Samardzija said. “You’d think they’d come up with something different.”

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