Photo of the Year (Cub Collapse Spares No One)

Chicago Tribune ^ | October 16, 2003 | The Cruel Hand of Fate

[RedBloodedAmerican]

No. For his reaction at the fan. He killed the team with his tantrum.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

*LOL* o*KAY*

[4Freedom]

Coming from anyone else, I would just ignore a comment like that, but you New Yorkers are experts in disgraceful behavior.

New York sports fans lead the Nation in disgraceful behavior. No, maybe the world.

Maybe Yankee fans would like to invite 'the goatboy' to sit on their 3rd base line. I'm sure Cub fans wouldn't object. ;^)

[NittanyLion]

Stop blaming this poor guy, blaming him on the disgusting CHOKE performance by the Cubs is disgraceful.

Exactly. It isn't the fan's fault that Dusty Baker left Prior to twist in the wind after it was apparent he didn't have his stuff anymore. Or that Alex Gonzalez muffed that grounder. Or that Farnsworth was horrible. Ultimately that play had nothing to do with the outcome.

[michaelt]

Oh. I didn't think it was that much of a tantrum, but more of a immediate reaction to a ball that he thought he should have caught but was thwarted unexpectedly.

It wasn't a Terrell Owens type of tantrum. Or Bobby Knight, Larry Bowa, etc......;-)

[RonF]

O.K. I've researched this. Here's what I come up with:

Interference by a Spectator It helps in understanding rule 3.16 if there is an invisible wall which divides the playing boundaries. The field side of the wall indicates the player's domain. The other side marks the territory of the spectator. Both player and spectator can reach into each other's area. When a player reaches into the stands and attempts to catch a ball they do so at their own peril. If the catch is made the batter is out. If it is not made it returns as a "foul ball" if hit, or follows the base awarding rules if thrown. The fan can do anything they wish to try to catch the ball.f

On that basis, given that the ball would have landed in the stands if not touched, there's no interference.

[NittanyLion]

No. For his reaction at the fan. He killed the team with his tantrum.

Prior's arm didn't tire any quicker because of Alou's reaction. And Alou's reaction wasn't running through Gonzalez's mind when he made that error.

I just don't buy the argument that the play had ANY bearing on the game's outcome.

[Afronaut]

Anyone who would wear a sweatshirt like that, and ruin the game is a double loser, Period.

[HamiltonJay]

Agreed, how do you blame a what? 8 run rally on a foul ball being interfered with by a fan? Come on.

[4Freedom]

Same play, Cub fan/Marlin player, ump calls it interference.

Same play, Marlin Fan/Cub player, ump calls it interference.

Bartman's a 'geek'.

[4Freedom]

Same play, Cub fan/Marlin player, ump calls it interference.

Same play, Marlin Fan/Cub player, ump calls it interference.

Bartman's a 'geek'.

[discostu]

I don't think Randy Moss is enough of a discipline case to make it as a Raider.

[discostu]

Post the tombstone picture from 60 instead. That's funny.

At work we're celebrating yesterday's release to manufacturing. Very mixed day, well lubricated though so I'll muddle my way through.

[4Freedom]

That ball was coming right down near the rail, not clearly into the stands. The 'goatboy's' hands are stretched out over the wall when he interferes.

[Remole]

No, actually, if Alou had caught it, there would have been 2 outs and Pierre on 2nd base. That would have led to Pudge getting an intentional walk, so 2 outs and men on 1st and 2nd. Then the grounder to Gonzalez would have led to an easy fielder's choice. 3 outs, no runs, 1 hit. Score Cubs 3, Marlins 0.

[muleskinner]

It isn't the fan's fault that Dusty Baker left Prior to twist in the wind after it was apparent he didn't have his stuff anymore.

Ah yes, Baker's inability to handle pitchers. Now you know why many Giant fans were not sad to see him go.

[Remole]

Let me also add that I am not saying that the fan's action led to the Cubs loss. Any combination of events could have led to the Cubs loss. And the Cubs lost Game 7 starting de novo.

[Zack Nguyen]

Heartbreaking. But I have to say, I'm happy Pudge gets to go to the World Series.

Me too. Pudge languished for years here in Texas. He was a part of some good teams but never great ones. Mostly it was one stinker team after another. And when they let him go, all we heard about was how he couldn't call a game, that the pitchers didn't like him. Give me a break.

It is very rare to see an athlete move away from where he spent his career and still be successful. I understand Pudge has learned how to take a walk too! Wow!

[NittanyLion]

Ah yes, Baker's inability to handle pitchers. Now you know why many Giant fans were not sad to see him go.

It seems like he's great at getting teams through the regular season, but lacks the tactical management ability necessary to win in the postseason.

[Lancey Howard]

Yes, and not only did Alou react in an animated way, but Prior also yelled and pointed toward the stands. This is what makes me think Prior got a tad upset. It may have effected his performance.