Remembering 'The Bartman Incident' 10 Years Later

Cubs fans and Redeye contributors reflect on one of the most infamous moments in Chicago sports history.

Videography:
Lenny Gilmore
& Sean Pheanis

Editing:
Lenny Gilmore

Interviews:
Chris Sosa

[thufirhawatt]

The question shouldn't be 'when will the fans forgive Steve Bartman?' rather it should be 'when will Steve Bartman forgive the fans?'

[aada]

Geez, this one guy says that game was horrific to go through as a Cubs fan....yeah, try being Steve Bartman after that game. He was chosen as the scape goat when, if anything, Alou's tantrum triggered the collapse. No other Cubs fan's life was instantly ruined

[tellurye]

"That game ruined my life forever..." really? A friggin game? Gee I dont know, there are more important things that would ruin my life like a death of a loved one, a terminal diagnosis, a child abused.

Its just a friggin game. If a game or sport "ruins your life" when it doesnt turn out a certain way, than you had no life, nor deserved one, in the first place.

[xjcrossx]

I have always said this at 4:01. His reaction was what set off the entire crowd. They were up by 3. They could've won without that. But his reaction got everyone angry, like it was a game ending play and they lost. When they hadn't lost yet. They were all fixated on that one play. A foul ball play. It didn't even score a run. lol It just was so ridiculous and they destroyed a man's life because of it. A guy who was just sitting there with his headphones listening to his favorite team. What a pathetic display of everything by the fans. I lost all respect for anything Cubs after that.

[ChiSportsNut]

Why didn't you pull Prior, Dusty?

[melvinwren]

"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."' - wiki on after they gave him that 2016 ring

[benmangrum]

All the people who harassed Bartman should apologize

[matthewcole]

4:47 Marlins Center fielder Juan Pierre was on second base. He doubled before Luis Castillo came up to bat.

[pbhoulden]

This is why it's nice to be a Cardinals fan. So what if the Cubs have won a WS more recently than St. Louis? The point is that it was their first championship in over 100 frigging years.

[rossturcotte]

Looking back, this was a defining moment for 2003. Lots post 9/11, George W wartime weirdness and the fading of cozy vibes all around. Especially in the Midwest.

[paulbiz]

Ball was in the crowd Bartman had every right to the ball.

[thwipp]

as a lifelong cubs fan, i'm embarrassed for the fans that made this poor guy's life a living hell and blamed everything on him. like has been said, he reacted as many fans would (and did)- he wasn't the only one to reach for the ball. it's sad when cubs fans try to make bartman into the new 'billy goat'/scapegoat. the cubs just choked. that's just the unfortunate truth. bartman's role was a very tiny part, if anything. i feel horrible for what he's been thru.

[melvinwren]

coolest part of the story, when they gave him that ring

[tellurye]

I watched the 30 for 30 Catching Hell, and when that reporter (Im blanking on his name, it wasnt this guy) but he's like "yeah so we were talking about whether or not we should post his name and address and we knew it was going to be bad and things could get out of hand...so...we posted his name and address, and..."

I SCREAMED at the TV like WTF?!?! So you KNEW this kid could have been killed...so you posted it anyway? And how did they get that? That means they found his seat and someone from the stadium must have shared with the media who purchased tickets for that seat. Or someone had to have tipped the media. WTF? How many traitors.

I mean it was terrible. So many people wanted to beat the shit out of him. Could have put him in the hospital or worse. And even the folks he went to the game with totally distanced themselves from him. What assholes.

Gotta love it when a fuckin migrant rapes a 12 yr old, we side with the migrant because its their culture, dont be racist, and the girl may have enticed him... but a fan catches a baseball...and we want to kill him?

I truly believe, if humans keep being stupid as we are, we will make ourselves extinct and animals will rule this planet once again.

[marcsonnenberg]

Don't blame Bartman, blame Gonzalez man and Prior man.

[Mainzer]

Some of the comments here makes me want to see the Cubs lose

[michaelguadiana]

the cubs lost the game not bartman. same thing happened to lolich in the 68 WS horton and northrup dropped the ball lolich had to start on a new batter. the cubs still were faceing the same batter. alou acted like a little boy .

[pauldwyer]

Hello YouTube Fans.   The City of Chicago and all of the Cubs will not be the same until Steve offers us his forgiveness.  I was in my old apartment.   I felt bad for the man.   Many years later, I still feel the guilt and shame.  I stopped being a cubs fan after that and after last night, long to be a fan again.  I was a devout fan as a child.   But folks, something needs to be done.  All of Chicago experienced the Salem Witch Trial in the 21rst century.  We all feel the guilt.   We need Mr. Bartman to forgive us.    Pleas Steve, if you read this, forgive us.   We are all terribly sorry.

[matthewcole]

Correction- Juan Pierre was on base when Luis Castillo hit the infamous foul ball.

[brooksmc]

I heard someone say Bernie Mac was the guest singer for the seventh inning stretch. He sang let's Root root for the Champions.