NORTHBROOK, Ill. - Without a World Series championship in 99 years, the Chicago Cubs are the most hexed and vexed team in American sports. And of all their tormented fans, not one is more stigmatized than Steve Bartman.
Photo Gallery: Famous Sports Hexes
Amy Sancetta, AP
Steve Bartman's unsuccessful grab for a foul ball in 2003 is often blamed for the Cubs not going to the World Series that year. Although not the originator of the curse, many fans say Bartman's play is proof one exists in Wrigleyville.
1 of 8
As a spectator at Wrigley Field in 2003, Bartman deflected a foul ball during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against Florida that probably cost the Cubs a precious out. This preceded a cascade of plays and misplays that squandered the team’s best chance to reach the World Series since 1945.
Since issuing a public apology the next day, Bartman has avoided the spotlight. His deed, his desire for privacy and his place in Chicago’s civic lore have made him an odd blend of Bill Buckner, Greta Garbo and Mrs. O’Leary’s cow.
But now - with the Cubs back in the playoffs and facing Arizona this week - will Bartman return to Wrigley Field?
John McDonough, the Cubs’ president, said he has had no contact with Bartman and that “what happened was unfortunate.”
But would the Cubs welcome Bartman back into Wrigley Field as they again attempt to win a World Series for the first time in almost a century?
“If he were to buy a ticket and come in,” McDonough said. “Sure.”
Will Bartman talk about his life since he reached out and steered that fly ball hit by Luis Castillo of the Marlins away from Moises Alou?
“Steve is not interested in talking,” his brother-in-law, John Zillmer, said in a brief telephone interview.
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Derek Lowe pitches to the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a National League baseball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP
** RETRANSMIT CLARIFIES ZAMBRANO HIT HOME RUN ** Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (38) points to the fans as actor John Cusack, left, points back at him after Zambrano hit a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
** RETRANSMIT CLARIFIES ZAMBRANO HIT HOME RUN ** Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (38) points to the fans as actor John Cusack, left, points back at him after Zambrano hit a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (38) points to the fans as actor John Cusack, left, points back at him after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (38) points to the fans as actor John Cusack, left, points back at him after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Cleveland Indians' Grady Sizemore watches his three-run home run off Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Josh Newman in the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Cleveland. Sizemore went 4-for-5 and drove in seven runs in the Indians' 10-3 win. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
AP
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Josh Newman wipes his brow after giving up a three-run home run to Cleveland Indians' Grady Sizemore in the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Cleveland. Sizemore drove in seven runs in the Indians' 10-3 win. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
AP
Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Cincinnati Reds' Josh Fogg pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, left, is congratulated by Aramis Ramirez (16), and a bat boy after scoring on a ground out by Derrek Lee against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
But is Bartman still a Cubs fan? Does he go to games? Does he believe “It’s Gonna Happen,” as signs proclaim in windows around Wrigley?
“He’s pretty much carrying on as before,” Zillmer said.
But does he still hold his old job and still live with his parents in this suburb northwest of Chicago, about 16 miles from Wrigley?
“I know the answer to that question,” Zillmer said.
Go on.
“Yes, I know the answer,” Zillmer repeated, volunteering nothing further.
Another phone call, to a neighbor of Bartman’s parents, resulted in a phone receiver being quickly hung up.
Two visits to the family home in a three-day period yielded no Bartman sightings and no answer to a knock on the door.
Why not call Frank Murtha, a lawyer and family friend, who screens Bartman’s inquiries from the news media?
“You’re one in a long line who would like to talk to him,” Murtha said.
Ready to join the fun against football fans? Sign up for FREE and EASY Fantasy Football with Fleaflicker.
His words were polite, his tone weary. As the Cubs clinched the N.L. Central, Murtha said, “the pulse of interest has picked up.”
Murtha said a reporter from The Sun-Times showed up at the family home and was shooed away last week.
“He’s fine,” Murtha said of Bartman. “He doesn’t have any comments on what’s going on in his life.”
Two years ago, a reporter for ESPN.com stalked Bartman’s car at his place of employment, Hewitt Associates, an international consulting firm in a nearby suburb. After taking issue with the writer’s sudden appearance in the lot, Bartman commented on how well the Cubs had played in a 14-6 victory over Boston. “They were hitting the ball all over the place,” he said.
Catherine Brandt, a spokeswoman for Hewitt Associates, confirmed that Bartman still works there but offered no more information. A message left on Bartman’s office voice mail brought no response.
A Google search of “Steve Bartman” called up more than 74,000 references but precious little new material. Nor did Bartman respond to two letters - one e-mailed, one handwritten and left with his lawyer.
Perhaps informants could be found near the well-groomed baseball field behind the two-story white house where Bartman grew up. It is part of a large park that also includes a building with hockey rinks.
Near the ice sat Wayne Arner, a local resident in a blue Cubs T-shirt who watched his son play goalie last Saturday, the day after Chicago clinched the division.
“You’ve got to feel for him,” Arner said of Bartman. “One thing that happens in your life defines your whole future.”
It happened with one out in the eighth inning of Game 6 in 2003, when the Cubs were leading by 3-0 in the game and three games to two in the series. The Cubs lost the game, 8-3, and then the series, four games to three.
Arner was asked whether fans had forgiven Bartman.
“Some of the most diehard Cubs fans have not,” Arner said. “The ones who look at it realistically know it was certainly not his fault.”
On that fateful night, Bartman, then 26, was escorted for his safety out of the park by security guards after he deflected the ball. He was wearing a Cubs cap, glasses and radio headphones - a look that became a Halloween fashion here that year.
Andy MacPhail, then the team president, and Commissioner Bud Selig phoned Bartman with messages of support. The ball itself was purchased by a restaurant owner and blown to bits. Bartman turned down an invitation to participate, a pattern he has maintained to this day.
Murtha said a subsequent episode of “Law and Order” involved a character called “the foul ball guy,” who was murdered in a bar. “It was gratuitous,” Murtha said.
Last week, in bars outside Wrigley, fans who were asked to discuss the Cubs mentioned Bartman without prompting.
Dan May, a law student watching on TV last week at Murphy’s Bleachers as the Cubs closed in on the division title, said: “If he came in right now, I wouldn’t shoot him. But I’d break his knees.”
May’s roommate, Peter Mers, rolled his eyes when he heard this. “I blame Bartman,” Mers said. “But I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing.”
Hearing this, May told Mers that every fan must know not to touch a ball when it might hurt the home team.
Nearby, in the Cubby Bear, Lynn Callister watched the Cubs game with her son, Todd. “It wasn’t just Bartman that night,” she said. “Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.”
Her son added: “Everyone blames Bartman, but Álex González muffed a double-play ball. It’s a blur after that.” Of Bartman, he added: “The guy was a good Cubs fan. That’s got to be the worst feeling of all.”
I really think Chicago is one of our countries greatest cities. That being said I think that the treatment of this poor man is horrible. there where only about 3 dozen hands going for that ball. I said this before and I will say this again for the way he was treated I hope it takes another 100 years for a championship
You've gotta give the Yankees credit though. The first half of this season, they were a laughing stock and 15 games out, now, they've finished the season only 2 games out, and they're in the playoffs.
It is a sorry ass city and team that blames a fan trying to get a foul ball for the team's pitiful performance. You haven't won anything since Moby Dick was a minnow. Blame your problems on Zeus he's Moby's daddy. You aren't good fans, just not too smart. Of course, if some one was smart they wouldn't live in the crime capital of the world. Get your ward bosses to fix the games, that is the only way you will ever win the series.
Cubs and Red sox fans re almost pitiful. Must be tough playin' in a second city. 4.4 million fans entered yankee Stadium and the base did not erode even with our poor start.
anyone that blames Bartman is an idiot.......any media that bothers this guy should be shot, not him....it is a damn game.....I would be more than happy to trade places with him.......and anyone with a problem would be more than welcome to approach me......
As a Yankee fan and fan of baseball, and a fan for the Cubs that fateful night I say let it friggin' go Cubs fans. If that happened in the greatest ballpark in baseball , Yankee Stadium NY"ers would have let it pass long ago. Losers hold onto things that need to be put down. The young man is sorry and that's enough. I suppose it's his fault too that the Cubs organization hasn't won any thing in 99 years. Get real Cubs fans and hold onto your spirit, and look ahead. Would love to have ypu guys in our place for the World Series. We's sweep you like we were playin' a Class C minor league club.
