The same thing happened in "The Greatest Game Ever", Cubs /Cards slugfest in Wrigley decades earlier (Ryne Sandberg hit two HRs off of Bruce Sutter, Cubs win in extra innings 22-20). In the 7th, same spot, a fan deflects a pop foul Gary "Sarge Matthews had a bead on. He turned and walked away. Game announcer Bob Costas said " that's the fan's territory"....he and Sarge were right.

I'm only clicking good cause i feel sorry for the guy. But the player wouldn't have caught that ball anyways... whether or not he got in the way.

I think this guy got a bad rap. He did what fans do every single game--try to catch a foul ball. Unfortunately for the Cubs, he prevented Moises Alou from doing the same. Nevertheless, you can't blame a game (or a series) on one play--if the Cubs had taken care of business on the field, we wouldn't even know Steve Bartman's name.

Poor bastard.

I feel terrible for the guy. He probably had no idea, as he put on his cubbies hat and his ... walkman ... that morning that his life would be forever changed...

Alou's recent, sympathetic comments about Bartman were ridiculous. Too little too late, Moises.

Didn't he have to go into permanent hiding?

I feel sorry for this guy too ChildofGod! It is so bad that they even loosely based a Law and Order on him. With the excitement of the game, I don't think he was thinking (although I can't tell you his state of mind at the time). Definitely a boneheaded move, but it was a mistake ~ move on.

Everybody by now knows it wasn't Bartmans fault...If there is anybody to blame it is Alex Rodriguez whose weak batting and horribly misplay on a routine ground ball extended the Marlins at bat even further. Maybe Alou catches that ball...maybe he doesn't. Regardless, a chance to catch a foul ball in the game that could potentially send the cubs to the series for the first time since 43...anybody in their right mind would have gone for that ball. It's just amazing that Bartman got all the blame...what about the guy sitting next to him who also dived all over Bartman. Maybe if that guy pushes back Bartman, then we have a different story. Either way, I think the Cubs organization should buy Bartman a ticket and bring him to the game...to show that he wasn't at fault.

Ridiculous !!!!! he just did what many other fans do all the time.

cubs suck and the fans blaming this guy for the pathetic team is just another example of how dumb the fans are. as an astros fan I just laughed at the whole situation. hey losers the Cardinals and Astros have an NL pennant where is yours? Oh yeah you dont have one Im sorry

I feel sorry for this guy. If he has not yet left Chicago, he really should. People are still upset about this and will blame him FOREVER.

I can't understand the storm of outrage directed at Steve Bartman,that he has been labled the goat,or the Villain.There was a bad guy involved in causing the Cubs' colapse,for everyone to vent their anger toward,and it was not Steve Bartman,it was the LEFT FIELD UMPIRE!! (name escapes me). Yes,Bartman interfered with Moises Alou,who,clearly,had the pop up all the way,and would have caught it.Alou screamed at the umpire to call Fan Interference,which,had he called it(AS HE SHOULD HAVE!!)would have made it 2 out,it would've been an enormous psychological lift for them,and everyone would have immediately forgotten about him. How has everyone forgotten this?Doesn't everyone know ,that that's supposed to be an automatic out?Yes,it was unintentional on Bartman's part,yet,it was still as obvious as ever a case of interference,as Yankee fan Jeffrey Maier's interfering,in Game 1,of the 1996 ALCS,which,of course,should also have been called out,and,for some stupid reason,the ump didn't call it,either.These last three months,you've wasted your anger on the wrong guy,so,please,it's time to apologize to this poor guy,and start sending hate mail to whomever that 3rd Base Ump was.Anyone remember his name?

You're not right. You're a little bit right, but not completely. Sure the '03 Cubs could have (and should have) recovered from the Bartman fiasco with minimal damage; sure Gonzo shouldn't have misplayed that easy ball; but is there ANY question that the Bartman play was the turning point of not only the series, but the ENTIRE SEASON? No. That play DID do something to the boys in blue. Bartman is the devil. 'Nuff said. P.S. I have no idea what the rating is supposed to mean....

I feel all the sympathy in the world for Bartman and absolutely zero for Cubs fans who have blamed him. Was it Bartman's fault that Prior collapsed, or that Alex Gonzalez blew an easy double play? I'll bet even if Gonzalez makes the play to get the Cubs out of the inning up 3-1, and then the Cubs found a way to blow it in the ninth, Chicago fans STILL would have found a way to blame Steve Bartman. The big series for me at that point was the ALCS (only because the Red Sox were in it, I pull for anyone, even the Yankees, over Boston), but when Cubs fans reacted like this to Bartman, that turned the NLCS from a series I could care less about to rooting like hell for the Marlins. Until you forgive Steve Bartman for a sin he never committed....no, that isn't right. What I mean is until all of you loser Cub fans can show enough regret for Steve Bartman to be able to forgive you, I hope you never win a National League pennant.

The kid got a raw deal. The Cubs blew it, and their still considered lovable losers, while this guy has to go in the witness protection program? It aint right!

A part of the long, sad opera that is the history of the Cubs.

Bartman can't be blamed, can he? On the other hand if Alou could catch the ball, it's all over. Hmmmmm!

Okay, what the guy did was stupid, but blaming him for losing is silly. The Cubs had a big lead, and Bartman interferring didn't cost them any runs. Alex Gonzalez booting the ball a play or two later did more damage then Bartman. Also, was Bartman there the next night when the Cubs lost? no. Bartman was also NOT the only person in the stands going for the ball. If the ball had been hit a few feet closer to home plate, the guy in the pink shirt to his right might very well be the one getting death threats. In short: Get over it.

The Cubs are pathetic. They are LOSER, for Lots Of Stupid Excusses Repeatidly

He didn't make the Cubs choke.

It is absolutely the most absurd situation to condemn someone over...no doubt this guy had absolutely no idea that simply reaching out to catch a baseball (like normal fans do, and like many fans did on that same day!) would make him as notorious as it did. Those who think he did it on purpose are just itching to put the blame on someone. This guy became one of the most hated baseball fans in history for nothing more than doing what fans do; he even received death threats and anyone who believes he caught the ball to sabotage the game needs a lobotomy.

Somebody should stop alibiing the Cubs defense by blaming it on this guy. Not the smartest move, I agree, but explain the rest of the game, and th game following. Sign some guys who can play some D, Cubbies.

i kinda felt bad for the guy... and it wasnt his fault the Cubs blew it.

UPDATE: It's been close to a year since Steve Bartman's infamous moment, and I would like all to know that I've changed my stance on him. At the time I was pretty upset. Being a Sox fan, I am all too familiar with curses and I was rooting for the Cubs. I was convinced that Steve cost them that series, but what I have come to realize is that Steve had no control over what happened. It was an act of fate. He just happened to be at the wrong game, in the wrong seat, the wrong ball got hit to him at the wrong time, and he picked the wrong moment to daydream and interfere with a baseball and all this happened in the biggest moment in the biggest game of Chicago Cubs history. OC: The Cubs were on a roll, ready to get to the World Series and break this curse everyone was talking about. The Cubs could do no wrong, and Mark Prior was pitching phenomenol. Then along comes Steve Bartman. If you're at such a crucial baseball game, and being the lifelong baseball fan and coach of baseball that Steve Bartman claimed to be, and if you have a seat that could allow you to make a play on a baseball, you have to think about what you would do if a ball comes your way. He interfered with that ball - he was the only one who touched it - and Moises Alou said he would have made that catch if it weren't for Bartman's interference. You could see how upset he was after the play. Later, the Cubs mgmt told Alou to deny that and say he had no play on the ball - for Bartman's protection. If Alou made that catch, there are 2 outs in the bottom of the eight with the Cubs up by 2 runs. Obviously there are no guarantees in baseball, but if Alou made that catch - and the ball was almost in his glove when Bartman hit it - the Cubs had a 95% chance of advancing to the World Series. The team that just barely beat them, the Marlins, handled New York pretty well and I'm confident that the Cubs would have done the same.

How stupid. He's just a fan, at a big game, reaching for a foul ball, along with twenty other un-thinking fans, who seem to get a pass. When I saw Moises Alou point at the fan, I knew then that the Cubs were done. When you're looking for a way to lose, you usually find it. It's not fan interference if the ball is in the stands, only if the fan reaches out over the field, ask the Orioles against the Yankees. A winner slaps his glove and goes back to his position for the next play. A loser looks for someone to criticize. Alou, and Cub fans in general, found what they wanted.

This is a joke. 1.This guy wants to be famous? (dont think so) 2.Blame him? If you look at pictures, about 4 other fans are going for the ball. 3.It isn't his fault they lost Game 7.

This guy is a hero to many.

I can't imagine how hideous this guy felt when he realized what he had done. It's one thing to trip and fall in a public place, but in front of the entire world with the result being that you screwed up your favorite baseball team's chances for entering the World Series. I'm surprised he didn't leave the country.

Poor Dude has three things going against him: 1) Had Dude been aware of the situation, he would have gotten out of the way, Alou would have caught the ball and the Cubs would be World Chaps; 2) Dude was exposed as an absolute dork with those goofy headphones and that ballcap; 3) Dude looks like that idiot Jared from Subway.

HAHAHA cubs suck! even your fans wanted you to lose, nice job guys.

Grow up I Love the Cubs the coment about him being gay just shows you have zero class or intelligence, i sure hope you are not older than 5 b/c that's the maturity level your comments showed. Grow up, get your GED and accept that the Cubs blew it. 2 home games with your 2 star pitchers to ice it? cmon

Steve is a very nice guy who loves the Cubs. He tried to catch a FOUL ball, a ball that Moises Alou might not have caught anyway--it would have been a tough play. It's not Steve's fault that the Cubs fell apart afterwards. I feel sorry for the guy. He is a decent guy who has been crucified when he's done nothing wrong. He feels bad enough as it is. It's a shame that people have threatened to kill him for touching the ball. It's just a game folks. Steve, I hope things are now going better for you and that people will leave you alone. You're a good man.

i hate steve bartman, i think he is dork and should leave chicago. you ruined the cubs chance of winning the world series and i think his family, friends and this city should disown him. i also heard that he is gay, and was at the game alone with an extra ticket but he couldnt find anyone to go with. steve bartman you are a nerd

The Cubs lost the game - a fan didn't lose it for them. Blame the team! Anyone there would have done the same thing, and looking at the pictures, 10 or 12 other fans were lined up to do just that. More power to Steve - if you're still a fan after what I expect you've faced, you're a better man than I!

I don't hold anything against the Bart man. Everyone who goes to a baseball game wants to catch a foul ball. There is only one reason this incident ever got noticed, and that reason is that Moises Alou flipped out. If he would have played it cool and gone back to his position, no one would know Steve Bartman's name, and the incident would never have gotten to the heads of the other players, ultimately causing the collapse of the 3-run lead. It was all Alou, Bartman just happened to be the one there.

Did you see how many other Cubs fans had their hand out trying to catch the ball? I bet more than half the ppl that hate this guy would've tried to catch the ball themselves if they had his stadium seat. I think a bunch of Cubs fans are not willing to be honest with themselves. Some ppl on this site say that Cubs fans around him stopped reaching for the ball when the outfielder went to catch it. I don't think so.

CHICAGO LEAVE STEVE ALONE.IT WAS AN ACCIDENT AND HE APOLOGIZED FOR IT.I MEAN YOU DONT HEAR ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT ALEX GONZALEZ'S ERROR.THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE CUBS LOST 3 STRAIGHT GAMES.BESIDES IDIOTS,IF THE CUBS DID GO TO THE WORLD SERIES WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE THEY WOULD HAVE BEATEN THE YANKEES?

I think the time of people being angry at him is probably past. But, to think that people will forget him is wishful thinking. He is a part of baseball history as much as the goat now. He is quite possibly the goat in the human form. I got a kick out of his father coming to his defense in the days following the game saying that he taught his boy to always go after foul balls. The thought of this boy being trained from a young age for this one moment, really kind of makes it seem quite possibly his destiny... his purpose in life if you will. The drought has been roughly 58 years I believe, and I think it would be interesting to find out how old Steve's father is. Is it possible that he is 58 years old ? Maybe his birth coincided with the beginning of the Curse of the Goat. Is it possible that his purpose in life was to raise the boy who would carry on the curse ? He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. Well... I guess if you believe that life revolves around baseball, this might need some more investigation. My advice to the Bartman is to embrace it. I think if the Cubs organization was smart, they would embrace him too by getting him tickets to all home playoffs games in the future - skybox seats of course.

Steve Bartman's action on that play was indicative of rooting for the Cubs in general. Like a foul ball that you know you probably should avoid but are simply too tempted to try to catch, year after year, unbelievable playoff choke after unbelievable playoff choke, Cubs fans who know better continue to invest their hearts, minds, time and money on the team that more than any other has destroyed more hearts and caused more heart attacks. Some threw objects are Bartman as he was escorted off the field but not one is reported to have thrown a thing at the players, many of them millionaires, who slinked off the field after blowing a 3-1 game series lead and giving up 8 runs in a home game.

ok, first of all steve bartman is NOT a Die hard cubs fan! you know why? it was his first game ever!!!!! He was stupid enough to sid in one of the most inhabated area of foul balls. Might as well be the ketcher and mess up the chances of getting into the world series!

I think the people that built the stadium with their big trucks and bulldozers are idiots.. Why in the world would you put a fans seat so close to the freakin feild. And what kind of name is Moises Alou?? Ship his overpaid ass right back across the sea.. STEVE BARTMAN FOR PRESIDENT!!!

I know this is late, but better late than never. It is the Chicago Cubs' fault that they lost that game and the series. You can't blame Mr. Bartman for that. If the game was tied and his actions caused 1 run to score for Florida, then maybe Cubs fans might have a case. But 8 runs against blamed on 1 fan? Seems like an excuse to me. There are no guarantees that the ball would have been caught regardless. Cubs fans should be ashamed of themselves for acting the way they did towards Mr. Bartman. He is a baseball fan who caught a foul ball.Big deal. It happens all of the time. The Cubs are at fault for the loss.

In my experience, Cubs fans are the most obnoxious fans in baseball. They are the ones always coming to visitor ballparks and harrassing and picking fights with the home crowd. I think it is poetic justice that one of their own obnoxious fans caused them to lose their chance at the Series. Ha ha ha.

Face it Cubs Fans, the Cubs would have lost anyway. They had their chances, and sadly blew it.

When you look closely at the picture it is obvious that the fans closest to Bartman are pulling their hands away the way any sensible fan would. Also, you can see Bartman using his right hand to push away Alou's glove while he uses his other limp wrist to swat at the ball. It's too bad Bartman was at that game.

Any true fan in the front row at series deciding playoff game should have the brains to keep his hands off the ball. And the fact he didn't catch it makes it even more sad.

Hey Cubs Fans! Don't blame Steve Bartman. Blame the players on the field and blame the Original Curse Maker: William "Billy Goat" Sianis. If I was Bartman, accept Jeb Bush's resort package and switch teams. Play the role of William "Billy Goat" Sianis.

I think that everyone that is blaming Bartman for losing the world series is stupid! Yes, he made a dumb mistake, but everyone does do that. The Cubs would have lost regardless of whether the guy caught the ball or not. I am a Cub fan, and yes, it would have been great to see them in the World Series. Don't blame someone else for your mistake though. We all would have done it. Admit it!

I love this guy. He should move to St. Louis, he'll be a hero here.

Didnt Alex Gonzalez make an error a few plays later that really opened the flood gates ?? - How soon that was forgotten and never talked about again ..

I think this guy's problem is the problem with all of us. We often act first without thinking. I don't know that much about baseball but I think it involves analyzing the other teams abilities and the current status of the game, just as one does in chess. If you're on defense and you're the shortstop, you analyze the other player's known abilities and tendancies that are on base as well as the batters abilities and act/react accordingly. Steve Bartman (as well as all fans) should have analyzed whether while the other team is batting should they just reach out for any ball that may affect their team. Any bit of forethought instead of the "me, me, me" that predominates most peoples thinking would have prevented this incident and the Cubs may be World Champions now. Had the situation been reversed then fans should analyze do they want to affect the outcome of the game. Isn't it a form of cheating to take advantage of being at home other than the advantages attributed to cheering and support? The flight and path distribution of hit balls must be very close to random inside of the limits of physics. Should randomness decide game outcomes in this sense or should players ability? I checked OK because Steve Bartman is no worse or better than any of us. It's time for all of us to start thinking before acting. Not just when attending baseball games.

I seriously fell really bad for this guy. If you were there listening to your cd, not really paying much attention(or if he was i dunno) and all of a sudden a baseball was flying towards you would you go for it? i know i would. If u critisize this guy u r a moron with no heart at all. you know you would go for it too soooo don't even anoy this kid. it was a MISTAKE! everyone else around him were trying to get it and he was lucky. it is not his fault the cubs lost the game. i seriousaly wanted the cubs to win (YANKS ALL THE WAY :)) but this is the coaches 1st year and theres plenty more good stuff ahead of this team i see them champs next year. anyway dude you would make the same mistake so shut up and forgive this kid ustupid idiots

My rating means his mistake was bad, not that he's bad. Like most others I have utmost sympathy for the guy, he made a mistake, we all do. He doesn't deserve the infamy, name release, hatred etc... Did he cause the loss in game 6? If you assume that Alou would have caught that ball (Alou says almost 100% sure) there would have been two outs in the 8th with only a man on second. No momentum change, the fans still excited and cheering, the Cubs not distracted, not dealing with men on first and third with only 1 out. Any answer is speculation. My answer is that it's very likely that his unfortunate involvement in that play caused the loss. A 3 run lead in the 8th with 2 outs and momentum on the Cubs side, is a scenario that says very likely the Cubs would win. An absolute sure thing? Definitely not. His name should have never been released. Yes the other fans that tried to do the same are just as guilty but a little luckier because they didn't succeed. How many people in the front row, mostly diehard Cubs fans, would have made the same mistake? Tough tough question. I've seen many plays during the season where fans have done similar. I've seen many where they got out of the way. I would expect fans in the area at such an important game to be helping by yelling get back, leave it alone, put your hands down, he has a play, etc... That ball was in the air for several seconds, enough time for that. Were fans yelling that? I'd love to know. I personally think probably less the half the folks in the front rows would have made the same mistake. FORGIVE THE GUY. HE HAS MORE THAN PAID FOR THE MISTAKE. IF YOU SEE HIM, TRY TO CONSOLE HIM.

He didn't cause that loss. I am a Cubs fan and I screamed at my TV when that incident happened, but that particular play did NOT cause even ONE run in that inning. I agree that he's a bit of a dumbass. But consider: even if he got out of the way of Alou, not only would he have to think in a split second to do so, he'd ALSO have to think quickly enough and prevent all the other fans around him from grabbing at the ball. Bartman could just as easily have sat back, but then the guy sitting next to him would probably have gotten a hand on that ball anyway. The Cubs blew it in that inning and they blew it in game 7 too. Thankfully, it's not the end of the world for the team since most players will return for next season, and this year was Dusty's FIRST season as Cubs manager. They can only improve from here.

I feel REALLY bad for this guy--I mean, seriously, if he didn't catch it, the people next to him would have, it could have been anybody. I can't imagine how horrible this guy must feel, but if it's any consolation to this guy, practically every radio and tv station (with a few exceptions) has been sympathetic to this guy, too.

I have an offer to make to Steve Bartman on behalf of all of us down here in Miami: Since all of Chicago pretty much wants to kill you, I suggest that you leave town and move down here to Miami. We all love you down here for setting in motion our Marlins second visit to the World Series. We'll give you a new house, a new car, and a new life! And if the Marlins win the World Series; then we'll give you a mansion by the beach. It sure beats Chicago doesn't it?

I feel sympathetic to the guy.He was one of several fans reaching for that ball.I imagine his life will be hell for awhile and he will be dubbed a scapegoat by others. I was rooting for the Cubs and was sorry they did not get the chance to go on the to World Series. I have no doubt this poor fellow will have to deal with some who will blame him.I know how cruel people can be and how they love to lash out at others.

This guy rules. Great cheap walkman...complete disregards for the rules....and the ability to single-handedly ruin his favorite teams' future.

Everything Magellan wrote about this incident makes good sense. The Press should not have publicized his name. I have liked the Cubs all my life and wanted very much for them to go to the Series this year at last. But none of us should blame this fan for causing Florida to score EIGHT runs against the Cubs. The Marlins would have won that one anyway.

This poor guy. I can't imagine a worse thing for a die hard fan than accidentally contributing to such a historic loss. By all accounts this is a good kid - a baseball coach for kids, a huge Cubs fan, a student of the game. How many of the rest of those Cubs fans would have reached for the same ball? 80%? 90%? It's so easy to jump on somebody else... I'm glad to see the Cubs players taking the high road. The Cubs organization should allow this kid to throw out the first ball next year - as an apology for the abuse he has suffered, and as an opportunity for Cubs fans to show they are not a lynch mob. Of course, I would plenty of security... just in case.