Chicago Cubs send a World Series ring to Steve Bartman
The Chicago Cubs have presented infamous fan Steve Bartman with a World Series championship ring.
I am proud to be a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. I have never been ashamed of my fandom. All of the years of futility were tough, but I was not ashamed of the Cubs. However, I was ashamed of how Cubs fans acted in October of 2003.
You know the story. The Chicago Cubs were five outs away from going to the World Series for the first time since 1945. I remember watching that series on the edge of my seat from my childhood bedroom. I wanted nothing more than the Cubs to reach and win the 2003 World Series.
However, they could not hold onto their lead in game six with Mark Prior on the mound and could not win Game 7 with Kerry Wood taking the hill. There are many people who can be blamed for that series loss to the Miami Marlins. Steve Bartman is not one of them.
A foul ball down the left field line changed Steve Bartman’s life forever. He reached to grab that potential piece of history the same way 10+ people around him did. Bartman was just the unlucky fan who happened to make contact with the ball. Moises Alou exploded and Bartman’s life changed forever.
The way Bartman was treated by Cubs fans that night was downright embarrassing. He was essentially forced into hiding, only to never be seen again. I had hoped that after the Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 2016, Bartman would make an appearance. He was happy about the victory but was not interested in coming public.
Now, the Chicago Cubs have presented Bartman with his own World Series championship ring from the 2016 season. Owner Tom Ricketts released a statement on the situation. Rickett’s statement comes via ABC News.
"“On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Mr. Steve Bartman,” Ricketts and the Cubs said in a statement. “We hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated throughout our quest to win a long-awaited World Series.“While no gesture can fully lift the public burden he has endured for more than a decade, we felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization. After all he has sacrificed, we are proud to recognize Steve Bartman with this gift today.”"
What a classy move by Ricketts and the Cubs. Carrie Muskat of MLB.com gives us a picture of the ring.
Clearly excited about his generous gift from the Cubs, Bartman himself released a lengthy statement.
"“Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring,” he said in a statement. “I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations. Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over.”“I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today’s society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.”“Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.”“Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving forward with my life.”"
Now, this is awesome. I do not even what to admit what I would do for an authentic Cubs 2016 championship ring. Being a massive Cubs supporter himself, Bartman has to beside himself to be ownership of one.
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He never deserved what happened to him and I am glad that he finally gets something positive out of this entire mess. Big kudos to Ricketts and the Chicago Cubs for making this gesture.