In the 2003 MLB playoffs, The Chicago Cubs had a 3-2 game advantage over the Florida Marlins. In the eighth inning, with Mark Prior pitching a shutout, Juan Pierre on second, and one out in the inning, Luis Castillo lined a ball to deep left field, very close to the foul line. It looked like it was going into the stands and would be a foul ball, but Moisés Alou jumped at the wall and looked to have a shot at making the catch. But, like all fans would, they reached for the ball and interfered with the catch. Alou screamed at the fans, an Steve Bartman in particular, and pleaded for an interference call. But, since it was a foul ball, no such call could be made. Castillo drew a walk and Pierre stole third on a wild pitch. Pudge drove in a run to pull the team within two. Then, Alex Gonzalez made an error on a grounder to short, and instead of the easy double-play, the inning continued. Derek Lee tied it up, and then the game was busted wide open. The Cubs lost the game, and ultimately the series. Steve Bartman had to have a police escort from the stadium and security around his home for fear that someone would literally kill him.
Do you blame Steve Bartman? I don't. He was just reacting like any of us would, and he didn't cause the collapse of a whole team. Their mechanics just disappeared, and they forgot how to field balls or throw strikes.
Do you blame Steve Bartman? I don't. He was just reacting like any of us would, and he didn't cause the collapse of a whole team. Their mechanics just disappeared, and they forgot how to field balls or throw strikes.