Steve Bartman Is Getting A World Series Ring & All Is Right In Cubs Land

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 31, 2017 6:15PM

Even before the Chicago Cubs at last won the World Series in 2016, many fans were finally beginning to forgive Steve Bartman for his infamous interference flub in the 2003 National League Championship World Series. Now the redemption has come full circle—full circle as in ring. Yes, the Chicago Cubs are giving a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Steve Bartman, according to a report by WGN.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said in a statement to WGN that he wished for closure and an easing of the "public burden" with which Bartman had been unfairly saddled with for nearly 15 years:

“On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Mr. Steve Bartman. 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."

Bartman was ruthlessly vilified by many a Cubs fan after (if you somehow don't remember) he deflected a would-be catch on a foul ball play. It would have been the second out in the eighth inning of the NLCS Game Six. Outfielder Moises Alou threw a tantrum (which many fans took as directive of sorts); the Cubs unraveled, giving up eight runs in the inning. They lost that Game Six and the decisive Game Seven that followed.

But fan sentiment eventually started to grow more magnanimous toward the lifelong Cubs fan, especially as people realized how disrupted the incited left his life—and when the Cubs started winning games, in 2015. Also, as the "30 for 30" film Catching Hell ably documented, there was a whole mess of blame to go around for the Cubs' 2003 collapse against the Marlins—all which had to do with, you know, the Cubs, not some hapless scapegoat.

The notoriously (and quite reasonably) publicity-shy Bartman said in a statement on Monday that he was grateful for the honor, and the opportunity to put the saga to rest. Here is the statement in part, according to WGN:

“Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations. Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over."

Bartman went on to say that he hopes his experience will serve as a cautionary tale to "prevent harsh scapegoating" and protect individuals' rights of privacy.

He said he won't do any publicity beyond his Monday statement. "Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved," he added. "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." His full statement is available here.

You can relive the deflection below. It's not so bad now, what with the happy ending and all.

Note: Tom Ricketts' father, Joe, is the owner of DNAinfo, which acquired Chicagoist and the Gothamist network in March.