A Split Second Defines A Life

THIS IS AN UPDATED ENCORE TIM MOORE BLOG

With the Red Sox sitting at home watching baseball on TV like you and me, it’s hard to get too excited over this year’s post season run for a World Series title. The Rangers dispatched the Rays last night—and now, all of New England will speak with a Texas drawl as we root the Rangers on to victory over the Yankees!

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of a DARK DAY in Chicago Cubs history (there are many).That was the day in 2003 that a die-hard Chicago fan made a split-second decision that adversely affected his team—and probably ruined his life.

His name is Steve Bartman—and he will likely be hated in Chicago for all time—or at least until the Cubs win the World Series-which may of course be one and the same. In the same way that Boston held a grudge against Bill Buckner for allowing a grounder to scoot between his legs at the WORST possible moment, Steve Bartman will be forever detested for possibly ruining the Cubs run at a title.

In case you don’t remember, allow me to re-enact the scene:

It was the 8th inning of the 6th game of the NLCS against the Florida Marlins—and the Cubs were just 5 outs away from their first World Series since 1945. Pitcher Mark Prior had a 3-0 lead. Switch hitter Luis Castillo stepped to the plate, worked a full count and then slammed a hard drive towards the left field fence. Moises Alou raced back, jumped up and reached for the ball. Looks like he would have had it too----IF Steve Bartman had not reached out and grabbed it before it would have landed in Alou’s glove! Alou was visibly upset-as the umpire called it a foul ball.

The rest is history. Castillo returned to the plate, where a rattled Prior walked him. The Marlins started hitting and eventually won the game—and then the next one to take the series.

Here is a video clip of Bartman being escorted out of Wrigley Field after the incident:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoumAUfwnI8


Following the game, the Sun-Times printed his name and picture under the headline “Cursed”. Death threats, the loss of his job, friends and more awaited Mr. Bartman. A Chicago alderman suggested he move away from Chicago—far away. Florida governor Jeb Bush gleefully suggested he move to the Sunshine state where he would be welcomed with open arms.

Since Bartman clearly was caught up in the moment-after a few beers-you HAVE to feel a little bit sorry for him! One instant he was an anonymous fan—the next, he was vilified and ridiculed nationwide---and his life was completely turned upside down. It is interesting to note that SEVERAL people had their arms out to catch that ball. Can you IMAGINE their post-game relief that they weren’t the “lucky” fan to snag that fly? Unless Steve Bartman discovers a cure for cancer, it is likely that his ENTIRE LIFE will be defined by that SPLIT SECOND, ill-fated decision.

Not fair.

I hope for the sake of Bartman and his family that Chicago Cubs fans have at least BEGUN to forgive him—and realize that it was still the CUBS who lost the pennant that year—not an obscure fan with a tad too much Miller Lite in him to know any better!

If you’d like my blog in your weekday box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com