In the Oddest News of the Day – Steve Bartman Receives World Series Ring
The Ricketts family have officially reached out to Steve Bartman and has sent him a World Series ring. Bartman, of course, is known for the unfortunate moment in the 2003 NLCS against the then Florida Marlins, where a foul ball hit down the left field line was obstructed with. Bartman was singled out, however, there were several other fans there grabbing at the ball, and he was swiftly removed from the stands.
Since that time Steve had been subjected to hate and death messages. He had gone into hiding, for the most part, and hadn’t returned to a game since.
The current Cubs administration had always been welcoming of Steve. Offered tickets to games, open messages saying he is, of course, welcome back. These have all gone unreturned, until this ring.
Here is a statement from Steve.
“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.
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.
Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire
Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an
unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving
forward with my life.”
I had met Steve’s parents in 2007. We very casually spoke about the T-Shirts they were wearing, baseball travel shirts. I started the conversation by asking what it was, which they explained that they go on five-night six-day excursions, traveling to different baseball stadiums. It was really a very neat thing, and I was very interested in taking one myself.
At some point in the conversation, I was asked if I was a Cubs or a Sox fan. I replied Cubs of course, and they had mentioned that they were so surprised that I was so happy to have a conversation with them. I didn’t know who they were, to be honest, and then they told me. From there we talked about Steve (he had called while we were talking, he was golfing, he apparently loves golfing).
They explained how baseball rich their family was, similar to my own family. They all loved the game. They all talked about the game. Lived and died with the game.
The game was taken away from them, for the most part, that night. I saw the pain in their eyes when they talked about how hard it was for Steve. A man who lived and died Cubs baseball, had that very thing taken away from him in such a violent and hard, and crazy way.
So good for the Cubs for making this one right. I know there will be people that question why the team had to open up this wound again, but in my heart of hearts, they finally made things right today.
