Cubs' Bartman ball to be 'executed' on TV (Exorcizing the Billy Goat Curse?)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 2.25.04

[mhking]

Many teams blow up their rosters after failing to win a World Series. Frustrated Chicago Cubs fans are blowing up a baseball.

In the final chapter of one of the most bizarre sagas in baseball history, Harry Caray's Restaurant Group in Chicago is staging a "Destroy the Ball, Find a Cure, Be a Part of History" event beginning Wednesday and culminating in Thursday evening's nationally televised demolition of the infamous ball.

The condemned ball was deflected by diehard Cubs fan Steve Bartman from the reach of left fielder Moises Alou during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Marlins.

There will be no reprieve for the ball that netted an unidentified fan $113,824 from restaurateur Grant DePorter, a friend of the late Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.

DePorter said he bought the ball to keep out it of the hands of taunting Marlins fans and hopefully exorcise the "Billy Goat Curse" that originated in the 1945 World Series. That was the last Fall Classic the Cubs participated in.

"This is a giant fan rally for Cubs fans, who are true blue and so loyal," said Beth Goldberg Heller, director of marketing for Caray's Restaurant Group. "Harry would want us to blow up the ball for Cubs fans everywhere, to get rid of this ball."

While Bartman is maintaining a low profile and wants nothing to do with the publicity stunt, Heller said that a family member expressed gratitude for the positive spin and forgiveness that the Caray group has openly bestowed regarding Bartman's inadvertent involvement.

Through T-shirt sales and donations, the event has raised more than $1 million to combat juvenile diabetes.

The ball will be transported on Wednesday from a showcase in Harry Caray's midtown restaurant about a block away to a $300-a-day suite at the Amalfi Hotel where a public viewing is slated from 4-6 p.m. The ball will be given a massage before being served a final meal of lobster, prime rib and a Budweiser.

On Thursday morning, the ball, flanked by four bodyguards, will be escorted to the NBC Tower on Michigan Avenue, where "Today" show host Katie Couric will reveal the manner of execution.

Academy Award-winning special effects guru Michael Lantieri has been testing various methods of horsehide destruction, but in the end, DePorter will choose from about 10,000 suggestions as to how to destroy the star-crossed baseball.

At 7:32 p.m. Thursday, Dutchie Caray, Harry's widow, will propose an annual toast to her late husband. Then, accompanied by music from Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, the execution will be broadcast live during MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

There has been no word from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich regarding a pardon.

Who said the Dead Ball era is over?

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[KantianBurke]

RIP old fella. :>

[theDentist]

"..."Today" show host Katie Couric will reveal the manner of execution. "

Sounds like she'll bore to death.

[Slings and Arrows]

I just hope that her colon isn't involved.

[dakine]

Sounds like fun, sometimes we take life too serious...
Opening day 5 1/2 weeks!!

[johnny7]

Just what is 'The Billy Goat Curse'?

[BaBaStooey]

Are they planning to blow up a goat named Murphy, too?

[Dog Gone]

DePorter said he bought the ball to keep out it of the hands of taunting Marlins fans and hopefully exorcise the "Billy Goat Curse" that originated in the 1945 World Series.

It won't work. The Cubbies, the Red Sox, and the Minnesota Vikings are doooooooomed.

[Prodigal Son]

You know, the Cubs and their fans need to quit this superstitious voodoo if they ever expect to win.

Winning is a state of mind. If you've got it in your mind that you won't win no matter how hard you try- you won't. It's just that simple.

But if you've got it in your mind that you WILL win no matter what happens (and you have the skill to back it up- wishful thinking alone is not enough) then you can lay 'curses and billy goat hexes' behind you.

You look at the difference between the Cubs and Yankees. The Yankees and their fans believe their team is supposed to win and they do. You can expand that to the Marlins as well. They didn't have it in their minds that they were going to lose and they didn't.

The Cubs and fans seem to take the attitude that their team is supposed to lose and only a miracle can change that.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

On Thursday morning, the ball, flanked by four bodyguards, will be escorted to the NBC Tower on Michigan Avenue, where "Today" show host Katie Couric will reveal the manner of execution.

Here's hoping that they miss the ball and hit the announcer.

[Redcoat LI]

"..."Today" show host Katie Couric will reveal the manner of execution. "

Death by Perkiness.

[Johnny Gage]

I agree.

I used to watch the Cubs on WGN cable just to listen to him.

I remember watching a game, I think it was about 13 years ago, where the game (against the Reds I think) went to 14 innings.. It was utterly hilarious to hear him sing "take me out to the Ballgame" a second time in one game.

[RippleFire]

bump

[atomicpossum]

You know, when Don Denkinger cost the Cardinals the '85 World Series, we didn't set up a charity event to put him down as a method of group catharsis.

But heaven knows we should have.

[Jonah Hex]

On Thursday morning, the ball, flanked by four bodyguards, will be escorted to the NBC Tower on Michigan Avenue, where "Today" show host Katie Couric will reveal the manner of execution.

Why am I suddenly thinking "Perky Katie", "baseball", and "proctologist"?

[hchutch]

I don't wanna know.

[The Good Doctor]

...unless the World Court intervenes.

[doggieboy]

Vikings doomed again? The season's over and once again we don't make it to the top. This time 3rd behind the Cubs and BOSOX. I'm dying.

[Dog Gone]

I'm afraid there is nothing we mortals can do about it. Some call it a curse. I think it's more likely a law of nature that we don't fully understand yet.

Either way, it's a fact.