Cubs Plan to Reach Out to Steve Bartman

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Cubs will finally reach out to infamous fan Steve Bartman more than 13 years after an incident at Wrigley Field that has gone down in sports lore.

Owner/CEO Tom Ricketts confirmed plans to reach out to the Northbrook native and Glenbrook North High School alum in 2017.

“I’m sure we’ll reach out to him at the right time, and I’m sure we’ll figure something out that provides closure for everybody,” Ricketts told the USA Today in a post-World Series interview. “Hopefully, we can make it work.”

Bartman became famous on Oct. 14, 2003 when he reached for a foul ball during Game 6 of the Cubs’ National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. When outfielder Moises Alou threw a fit thinking Bartman interfered with his chance of catching the ball and moving the Cubs one out closer to a World Series berth, panic ensued and the Cubs blew a three-run lead in the game en route to losing the series.

Bartman has avoided the limelight ever since the incident, although a majority of Cubs fans have come to the realization that it was not his fault that the team lost the series against the Marlins. It's unsure if he would accept an invitation to Wrigley Field, even if that's what Ricketts has in mind.

It only took the Cubs 14 years and a World Series title to admit that Bartman wasn’t responsible. In 2003, Cubs Manager Dusty Baker immediately blamed Bartman after the game. His home was under police surveillance for weeks due to threats.

photo via YouTube screenshot