Chicago Cubs Fan Steve Bartman Becomes Public Enemy Number One
By David Hill
The Chicago Cubs appeared to finally be on their way back to the World Series. Then, with five outs left, the Curse of the Billy Goat reared its head in the form of Cubs fan Steve Bartman.
It was finally going to happen. After 58 years of agony, after the torturous close calls and the epic collapses, the Chicago Cubs were going to head to the World Series. With a 3-0 lead over the Miami Marlins in the top of the eighth inning, and Mark Prior cruising through the lineup, Wrigley Field was electric as they sensed that history was about to be made.
As it turned out, they were correct, just not in the way they had hoped. Prior recorded the first out, and then gave up a double to Juan Pierre. Luis Castillo followed, and popped up foul down the third base line. Left fielder Moises Alou went over to the stands, reaching in for a potential catch. However, the ball was deflected by longtime Cubs fan Steve Bartman, falling to the ground without Alou being able to make a play on it.
Despite Alou’s vehement argument that interference should be called, the play stood as a foul ball. At that point, the wheels came off for the Cubs. Castillo walked on a wild pitch, and Pierre went to third. Ivan Rodriguez followed with an RBI single, and the Marlins were in business. Still, the Cubs had a chance to escape with the lead, as Miguel Cabrera hit what appeared to be an easy double play ball to short. Then, the Curse went into full effect, as Alex Gonzalez threw the ball away.
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Then the runs started. With the bases loaded, Derrek Lee hit a two run double. Kyle Farnsworth came in, and after an intentional walk, gave up a sacrifice fly. Another intentional walk reloaded the bases, and Mike Mordecai put the game away with a three run double. Pierre plated Mordecai, and while Mike Remlinger recorded the final out, the damage was done.
The Cubs would not only lose that game, but seemingly demoralized by the stunning turn of events, fell in Game Seven. Bartman, meanwhile, left the game early, as he feared for his safety. He quickly became Public Enemy Number One amongst the Wrigley faithful, a Cubs fan who had been turned on by his own.
And yet, one can hardly blame Bartman. It would have been an excellent catch for Alou, and that was not a sure thing. Bartman was also not the only one reaching for the ball, as other nearby fans sought a souvenir from the game where the Chicago Cubs would finally advance to the World Series once again. In fact, watch the fan in the grey jacket, who is leaning over Bartman to attempt to make the catch as well. He was simply the one in that fateful spot, an innocent bystander thrust into the sad history of the Cubs as he tried to catch a foul ball.
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One the span of minutes, Steve Bartman became a part of the curse surrounding the Chicago Cubs. It is truly an unfortunate way for him to be remembered.