Will Steve Bartman throw the first pitch in Game 3 of the World Series?

As Wrigley Field gets set to host its first World Series game since 1945, don’t rule out Chicago Cubs superfan Steve Bartman throwing the first pitch.

When it comes to playoff baseball, there are times when the ceremonial first pitch is almost as important as the game itself. With the Chicago Cubs in the World Series for the first time since 1945, that will certainly be the case. Ceremonial first pitches are typically done by celebrity fans or former players, although the ones that diverge from those options end up being the most creative.

The Cubs certainly don’t have a shortage of options to go to. They have a myriad of former players who have dreamt of this moment, and couldn’t be happier for the current Cubs team that’s there right now. And as far as celebrity fans go, there are a ton, but none of them have captivated our imaginations more than Bill Murray.

But this isn’t your average World Series. The two teams that are playing own the two longest World Series droughts in the MLB, a combined 176 years. They’re also among the longest championship droughts in all sports.

Chicago’s 108-year long curse had some infamous moments along the way, but perhaps none was bigger than when superfan Steve Bartman reached over to grab a foul ball while robbing the Cubs of an out. That sparked a run by the Florida Marlins who ended up advancing to the World Series. Up until this year, that was the closest the Cubs had ever got to going back to the World Series.

While Steve Bartman has been the scorn of Chicago ever since then, the Cubs’ success this year should be their way of making peace with him. Yahoo made the case as to why Bartman should be owed an apology, saying that he was a scapegoat, and the reaction towards him “showcased the absolute worst side of sports.” They also stated that letting him throw the first pitch in Game 3 of the World Series would offer “some sort of closure in a particularly ugly part of Cubs lore.”

With the Cubs in the World Series, the darkest period of their history is now behind them. The fans should prove that they’ve moved on from the Steve Bartman incident, and what better way to do it than by having him throw the first pitch? Think of it like the Cleveland Browns quarterback jersey getting retired after the Cavaliers won their first title.

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This would only be for Game 3. The Cubs could potentially host three World Series games, so there’s plenty of time to let Bill Murray throw the first pitch. But ever since he caught that foul ball, Bartman hasn’t made a public appearance. Could you imagine what the headlines would be if his first appearance back at Wrigley was in a World Series game, throwing the first pitch? It would make for one of the greatest sports stories of the year!

The world is begging for this to happen. You know what to do, Cubs.