Posted on 07/31/2017 12:14:32 PM PDT by EdnaMode
CHICAGO -- A WGN News exclusive -- Steve Bartman has received an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring as a special gift from the Ricketts family and the Cubs organization.
Arguably the team's most infamous fan, Bartman is remembered for tipping a foul ball that left fielder Moises Alou unsuccessfully dove for in the stands during Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series.
Now, 14 years later, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts thought it was high time to extend an olive branch.
Bartman received the ring before noon Monday in Ricketts' office. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and President of Operations Crane Kenney were also present. Ricketts then showed Bartman around Wrigley a bit, so he could see what was new since he'd last been to the park. The Cubs released a single photo of Bartman's ring
(Excerpt) Read more at wgntv.com ...
Maybe it’s just a trick to lure him out into the open?
Hahaha. Hysterical.
Indeed.
This is exactly why I don’t root for the Cubs. He broke the rules, and now gets a reward. One of the firmest rules of baseball is: goats are forever. Ask Buckner who forgave him. Ask Fred Merkle. Ask Ralph Terry. Ask Mickey Owen. Ask Roger Peckinpaugh. Neftali Feliz. Lonnie Smith. Curt Flood. There’s no forgiveness, as it should be.
Yes, very nice, but where’s mine? Arriving late that infamous evening, wife is all jazzed saying “I think the Cubbies are going to do it.” To which I replied, “Well sweetie, the thing with baseball is that things can change in a split second”. The “Bartman ball” was the next pitch. So she’s blamed me all these years.
LOL. You could be right. :D
The real goats were the Cub’s players.
They’re the ones that folded and lost the game, not Bartman.
Bartman did a stupid thing but did not deserve the crucifixion. I watch a lot of baseball & you can see fans doing the same exact thing just about EVERY game.
The ESPN show about him was way overblown.
I disagree strongly. If he doesn’t break the rules and interfere...they never get the chance to be goats. Therefor, he bears the burden. Any lawyers out there want to take up the argument of proximate cause?
There’s a difference. Every one of the players you mentioned were just that... players. Bartman wasn’t a player. He was a spectator, and he broken no rule. He did what every other fan would have done. He was going for a foul ball.
Players have public forums to defend themselves. Bartman didn’t. He had to put up with the media onslaught alone. He couldn’t let his play speak for him.
Oh, and Buckner? No forgiveness in baseball?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8LGeZhR6c0
Ball in the stands is fair game. He really didn’t do anything wrong. And the next better I believe hit into what should have been an inning ending double play but a professional athlete in the field booted it. All forgotten because some poor sap in the stands tipped a foul ball in the stands.
lolllllllllllll
You have obviously never either played baseball or sat on the first row.
There were at least 10 other people reaching for that ball — ALL thought it was within their grasp and would stay foul. SOME were actually protecting themselves. NONE were intentionally interferring with play.
I was sitting on a second row seat right next to the photo well on the first base side. There’s a popup foul that, off the bat, I was sure was coming to me or near me. I stupidly had not brought my glove to the game and so I’m starting to think of the best way to catch this IF it comes my way. I then realize 2 women were in front of me and had no idea what was happening so I then start thinking about making sure it doesn’t hit one of them. ALL of this is going through my mind as the ball drifts back toward the field and the first baseman makes an easy catch. Not once did I think about letting up so a catch could have been made. I actually think I took a step or tried to take a step toward the field when the ball drifted back. Instinct.
I played JuCo baseball. Not at a very high level but I’ve caught thousands of fly balls and see them off the bat as easily as most anyone. Bartman didn’t do anything wrong and his public crucifixion was a disgrace.
Leave it alone....it’s been years...that hate is going to burn you up.
I think the goat was the umpire. That was fan interference if I ever saw it.
Closure ping...
“Very classy gesture from the Chicago Cubs.”
Absolutely! Nice to hear.
Ring constructed of a special metal alloy with a high concentration of IR-192. Expecting irreversible radiation damage to his hand within the first week.
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