Do Cubs fans want Steve Bartman to help them break curse?
Notorious Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman may receive his redemption at the National League Wild Card Game.
Steve Bartman, a name that will live in infamy in the hearts of Chicago Cubs fans. However, one industrious group of said fans thinks that making amends with the most hated man in Chicago is the best way to break the curse that has plagued the team for 107 years.
Back in 2003, the Chicago Cubs were on the verge of their first World Series berth since 1945 and many were hoping they would end their then 95-year World Series drought. Unfortunately, things fell apart in the bottom of the eighth inning when the aforementioned Mr. Bartman, a lifelong Cubs fan, interfered with a foul ball in the stands that looked to be heading to potential catch for Chicago outfielder Moises Alou. Instead, Bartman dropped the ball, preventing the out from being made.
Things fell apart quickly from that point, with Chicago surrendering eight runs in the inning at the point, losing the game and eventually the series to the Marlins.
Bartman was assailed in the stands by other Cubs fans, prompting him to not only leave the game, but the ensuing blame placed on his forced him to eventually move out of the Chicago area altogether. Of course, he wasn’t the only fan who went for it, but he was the unlucky one to interfere with it and then be associated with the loss.
Now, 12 years later, an endeavoring Cubs fan feels that Bartman is the last piece of the puzzle to help break the Cubs long playoff curse. Keque Escobedo believes that by making amends with Steve Bartman, the Cubs nation will be able to generate the karma it needs to bust past their drought and bring a title home. As such, he’s started a Go Fund Me account to try and get Mr. Bartman out of hiding and back into the stands at Wrigley Field.
"Lifelong Cubs fan wants to make amends for 2003, lets make it happen. First we need to find him to get him to the big game. If anyone knows where he is at, tell him we are looking for him. The money would pay for his expenses including his ticket, hotel room, flights and a little spending money.If he cannot be found by time of the big game all the proceeds raised will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association."
It’s a classy move, and quite frankly it is one that is long overdue. Yes, Steve Bartman broke the unwritten rule of fans in the stands giving clearance to hometown players to catch flyballs. However, his act alone didn’t cost the Cubs the World Series berth or the title. It was just the first piece in the puzzle that led to their inevitable demise in 2003.
This would go a long way toward making a man feel whole again. Of course, it could in its own right be difficult. Bartman has denied requests in the past to be a VIP guest at Wrigley Field, declined interviews and paid appearances, and by all means, has tried to put the experience behind him. Given the chances that things go sour and the blame again falls on him, Bartman may be best served to decline the invite and allow the money to simply go to charity.
He can then root for his Cubs from the safety of his own home, hoping that is enough to break the curse.
(h/t CSN Chicago)
Next: The MLB All-Time 25-Man Roster
More from Chicago Cubs
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- Cubs: Cody Bellinger is putting up come-and-get-me numbers
- Cubs front office deserves an apology for Willson Contreras hysteria
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
- MLB Rumors: Red Sox-Ohtani package, Cubs trade dilemma, Phillies-Mets trade