Steve Bartman. Just the name itself is probably enough to make Cubs fans twitch in a combination of anger and RAGE. If you have been a fan of a sports team for 10 seconds, you under stand the difference in those emotions.

In October 2003, Cubs fans thought they had a team that could finally break through and win the World Series.  That is, until the 8th inning of Game 6 during the NLCS. The Cubs were up 3 – 0 when this happened…

The Cubs would go on to lose that game 8 – 3, and eventually the series. And hey, instead of blaming the players on the field for blowing a 3 – 0 lead and giving up 8 runs in one inning, let’s blame the guy who tried to catch that foul ball. Sounds silly when I put it that way huh?

As we know though, that is exactly what happened. Steve Bartman essentially had to go into witness protection and has been pretty much off the grid since October 14, 2003.

BUT THEN, 14 years later…. this happened.

The curse was ended, the Cubs won and Steve Bartman was forgiven. Right? Well it took a few months, but yes!

Yesterday, the Cubs presented a special World Series championship ring to Steve Bartman. It’s a classy move by the organization. Bartman has been through literal hell on earth for 14 years and deserves the physical representation of the team and it’s fans moving on and apologizing.

Bartman released this statement following the announcement, ” I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today’s society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.

Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.”

Good for Bartman, Good for the Cubs. The wait is over, as should be the unwarranted anger toward a man who was just being a fan.

Photo courtesy: https://twitter.com/danmericaCNN/status/892076720223924225