Where's Bartman?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 12, 2005 7:20PM

Chicagoist recently wondered what Steve Bartman was up to these days. The Cubs fan who many blame for ending the Cubs' World Series hopes in 2003 seemed to vanish soon after. Of course, if ever there was a real life "Need to Get Away For a While?" moment...

When his name was recently mentioned on ESPN radio for no particular reason, we began to wonder what he was up to these days. Was he able to resume his life after the initial outrage of his actions susbsided? Had he picked up and moved out of town? Had he changed his name, dyed his hair and gotten contacts so that he could sneak into Wrigley again? By the time our commute ended, we'd long since forgotten about the question.

Until this weekend, that is. An ESPN reporter with a bit more ambition and leff fear of stalking charges decided to hunt Bartman down. Wayne Drehs, ESPN writer and lifelong Cubs fan, visted Wrigley and sat in the seat where Bartman sat that fateful evening. He realized he would have done the same thing. Most baseball fans probably would have.

Drehs' journey continued by trying to locate people who know people who know Bartman. Eventually, he reached some friends, tried calling co-workers, pestered neighbors. Few wanted to talk. Except for Bartman's next door neighbor, who told Drehs to "go on with your life. There's more important things in the world than the Cubs."

Instead, Drehs staked out Bartman's house -- well, actually his parents' house. He still lives at home. Drehs tried to figure out which car was Steve's and then tailed a black Acura that left the home. When he determined that it is, in fact, Steve Bartman he followed him to work. Having located Bartman's car in the lot, he returned at the end of the day to approach him. What did he learn? Bartman might be up for an interview after conferring with his legal team, and that stalking him at work doesn't leave a good impression. They share a moment over the Cubs' 14-6 win over the Red Sox that afternoon and then he lets Bartman ride off into the sunset. Guess this was acatch & release hunt.

So basically, we learn that Bartman's still doing the exact same thing he was before the infamous incident... except maybe attending fewer Cubs games?