Steve Bartman turns down opportunity to cash in on infamous play
Steve Bartman understandably wants nothing to do with what happened the night of October 14, 2003. That was the night he reached over one of the walls at Wrigley Field and interfered with Moises Alou as the Chicago Cubs’ outfielder attempted to catch a foul ball.
But if you were Bartman, would you relive the moment for $25,000?
Steve Bartman has refused yet another offer to cash in on the moment he became the most famous — or infamous — Chicago Cubs fan in history.
Bartman friend Frank Murtha says that Bartman won’t accept an offer of $25,000. For the money, all Bartman would have to do is attend the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont and autograph a photograph taken of when he tipped a foul ball that seemed destined for Cubs’ outfielder Moises Alou’s glove during a 2003 playoff game with the Florida Marlins.
Bartman was vilified by Cubs fans, who thought that he helped prevent the team from reaching the World Series. Alou has made conflicting statement on whether he would have caught the ball.
Bartman has declined all offers to appear or make money off his brush with fame.
According to Cubs fans, Bartman ruined their year for a World Series title. Talk to any Cubs fan and they’ll also tell you Bartman is the reason for high gas prices, global warming and is likely the gatekeeper to hell.
If I were Bartman, I’d cash in. I’d cash in on that moment until I became one of the richest mother f’ers in the world. Then I’d give the one-fingered salute to all Cubs fans and sit in my fat palace at 100 Millionaire Road, located about six states away from Wrigley Field. And I’d have a huge smile on my face, too.
No doubt. He’s clearly trying to run away from the moment, but I think the best way for him to handle it would be to just embrace it…and cash in in the process. I’d take the $25,000 and then tell all the reporters who would no doubt flock to the event that all the bitter Cubs fans can go to hell. I’m not the reason the Cubs lost that series, and if I didn’t knock the ball away from Alou in that game, one of the other 10 yahoos reaching for the ball around me would have.
Seriously, it’s time for everyone to move on, including Bartman. The dude didn’t do anything wrong, and now someone wants to pay him $25k to sign one stinkin’ photo…?
I would jack him up to 50,000.00 and sign all day long for anyone dumb enough to want one at 5.00 a piece. Then I would go on the road and do it at every baseball convention I could get into.
O J does it…why couldn’t he ? ….He didn’t kill anubody nor did he cost them the game though some would like to think so. I see him sitting right next to Billy Buckner and the Kid from New jersey..
Now I want one with all 3 signatures on it….
It’s business…..
Rockford
This guy’s a jerk I wonder why he won’t accept the money? I remember when he and Howard Stern pulled a prank on SportsCenter a few weeks after the whole Moises debacle, I’m sure he got some kind of compensation then.
This kid can’t win no matter what he does. Leave him alone and move on. The kid was at a game – a ball was coming his way – he went after it … Gut reaction thats all. You probably would have done it also. Alou said he wasn’t going to catch it. Hey, you aren’t mad at Bartman – you are mad because the Cubs lost the game and that series.
As a Cubs Fan, I agree with Bay24. I probably would’ve gone for the ball as well. I think the so called “hatred” for Bartman is an illusion. I don’t hate him, nor do any of the other Cubs fans I talk to. At the time the play happened, we felt that if he hadn’t interferred (or anyone else for that matter) the following string of bone-head plays wouldn’t have happened. But they did. That’s where the blame lies. Bottom line: Get over it!
Yes…why would we want anyone who’s had a minute of celebrity in this country to show some self respect and class and NOT take the money and run? Imagine…a guy who doesn’t want to turn himself into a dancing bear for everyone else’s amusement for a couple of bucks.
I’d like to ask Bartman himself if all the hatred is an illusion. Something tells me he wouldn’t agree.