Print

Mail

wiki links

Overeager Cubs fan becomes his team's enemy number one

His critics think he should be on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and two US governors have offered him political asylum and a new identity in the witness protection program.

He is life-long Chicago Cubs baseball fan Steve Bartman, the butt of jokes from the Windy City to Hollywood and down to the Gulf of Mexico.

The 26-year-old snatched a foul fly ball out of the glove of Cubs fielder Moises Alou during a crucial World Series qualifying game here on Tuesday, a snatch some have attributed to the Florida Marlins triumph over the Cubs in that game.

Spat on and roundly abused by other Cubs fans, Bartman had to be escorted out of the Wrigley Field ballpark by security guards before the conclusion of that game.

He subsequently tendered a heartfelt apology, but when the Cubs lost that game, forfeiting their lead over the Marlins in the playoffs series, few "Cubbies" could find it in their hearts to forgive Bartman.

When the Marlins won the final match to reach the World Series, Bartman became a lightning rod for collective anger and frustration.

One Cubs fan even mocked up a FBI "Ten Most Wanted" poster with Bartman's picture and posted it on the Internet.

"Considered ignorant and extremely stupid," it said, wanted for "interfering with crucial play ... breaking the heart of an entire city. Showing no remorse. Wearing ridiculous headphones during a baseball game."

Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois offered to get Bartman a spot in the witness protection program.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush, also tongue in cheek, raised the possibility of political asylum in Florida, the Marlins' home state.

Fans of Chicago's other baseball team, the White Sox, offered up "safe houses" for Bartman in calls to local radio stations.

"He's really hurting right now," said a Bartman friend in the Chicago Tribune.
This story has been viewed 2156 times.