Curse of William Penn

I've talked to some folks who don't know about the bane of Philadelphia sports teams until it was broken last year otherwise known as "The curse of William Penn".  So for those who don't know what it is (or was) thanks to the Phillies, here is what it was all about:


The city hall building was constructed in 1901.  During the time it was the tallest building in Philadelphia along with the statue of William Penn atop.  Also, the tallest "habitable" building in the world until 1908.  And another intesting tidit, it remains the tallest all masnonry building in the world!  Back to the point.  There was a gentlemen's agreement between builders that no building in Philadelphia would be built higher than the statue of William Penn so that he remained the tallest thing in Philly.  Well, the agreement was broken in 1987 when Liberty One Place was completed.  Since then, no major sports team in Philadelphia had won a championship.  The last was the Sixers in 1983.  Last year, the comcast tower was completed making it the tallest building in Philadelphia.  A top the skyscraper was placed a small statue of William Penn that looked out over the city.  Last year the Phillies won the World Series!  Are you a believer?  Curse or coincidence?

Oh and that reminds me of another William Penn legend which my old college roommate so kindly pointed out to me on my first visit to Philadelphia.  Yes, that does look like his junk is sticking out in the picture from that angle.