Every so often Steve Bartman comes up in the news. And by every so often, I mean:
1) Every time there’s a foul ball
2) Every time they show a fan with headphones
3) Every year in the playoffs
4) Every time the Cubs do something noteworthy
Thankfully, the Cubs only make the playoffs once or twice a decade so Bartman is spared somewhat in that regard.
Unfortunately, 2015 is one of those years where the Cubs pretended to be a functional organization and win some games in the regular season. Which brings us to this recent hullabaloo about fans wanting to bring poor Steve Bartman to a game. As if bringing him to a game will absolve all the awful Cubs fans who blamed him for a play that was a) not really his fault b) an overreaction by Moises Alou.
Anyway, all this attention forced Bartman to release a statement through a friend. Because, you know, we’ve harassed the guy so much that he needs an official spokesman to addresses bullsh*t like this.
“It’s nice of these people to think of Steve, but he won’t be taking advantage of the offer,” Frank Murtha said. “He’s perfectly capable of attending the game on his own, though he has no intention of being at the wild-card game. Steve is glad the money will go to a good cause and will be cheering on the Cubs as always,” Murtha said.
The play happened in 2003. That was 12 years ago. Maybe, and I know this is crazy talk, let’s put this in the past. Maybe, just maybe, the whole Steve Bartman thing has run its course. Let the guy live, let the guy on with his life without being reminded of a split-second decision he made in an otherwise meaningless sporting event.
Also, f*ck Moises Alou.
