Steve Bartman

Steve Bartman had a front row seat at Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship series between the Chicago Cubs and the Florida Marlins when he attempted to catch a ball that was flying foul in the eighth inning.

Many fans believe that Bartman's interference cost the Cubs the series by causing the ball to become uncatchable for outfielder Moises Alou.

Fast Facts

Born: October 1, 1977

For his own safety, Bartman had to be escorted from the park by security after the foul ball incident

The Florida Marlins went on to win the World Series

The Chicago Cubs have not been to the World Series since 1945

The infamous play happened on October 14, 2003

The Bartman seat (Section 102, seat 13 on the 3rd base side) is now a tourist attraction

Alou Confession Controversy

During the summer of 2007, Moises Alou allegedly commented, while in an elevator at Macy's with sports writer Jim Litke and Litke's two sons, that "everywhere I play, even now, people still yell 'Bartman! Bartman!' I feel really bad for the kid...you know what the funny thing is? I wouldn't have caught it anyway."¹

Litke included this comment in an essay providing a historical retrospective of the Cubs that was published on March 31, 2008. Though it was not mentioned in the headline and appeared in the 29th paragraph, the comment created a media frenzy and generated intense criticism towards Alou.¹

Alou denies having made the comment and Litke, when questioned since the publication of his essay, has said that Alou probably only said it to be friendly to a couple of young fans.¹

Bartman Autograph

On July 23, 2008, Bartman was offered $25,000 by a Chicago sports memorabilia collector's convention to attend the convention and sign a single autograph. The offer was for Bartman to show up on July 31, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., prove he is Steve Bartman and sign a photo, to be auctioned off for charity.²

According to ESPN, Bartman has declined the offer, as he has with all other public appearances since the 2003 incident.³