Steven Bartman: $25,000 for ONE Autograph

[STJL41]

One of the most infamous figures (or popular, depending on your rooting interests) in recent baseball history has been offered $25,000 for his John Hancock:


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cubs-fan-Steve-Bartman-offered-25K-for-just-one?urn=mlb,95542

From the Orlando Sentinel:

To collect the cash, all Bartman has to do is show up at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., at 1 p.m. on July 31, prove his identity and sign a photograph of the infamous play. It will then be auctioned on the Web site with the proceeds going to a Chicago-based charity, according to a news release for the event.

If I were Bartman I would do it, if for nothing else but to capitalize on something that has been overblown as it is. If people aren't going to let this die, he might as well cash in when the oppotunities come along.

[lonny23]

One of the most infamous figures (or popular, depending on your rooting interests) in recent baseball history has been offered $25,000 for his John Hancock:


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cubs-fan-Steve-Bartman-offered-25K-for-just-one?urn=mlb,95542

From the Orlando Sentinel:

To collect the cash, all Bartman has to do is show up at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., at 1 p.m. on July 31, prove his identity and sign a photograph of the infamous play. It will then be auctioned on the Web site with the proceeds going to a Chicago-based charity, according to a news release for the event.

If I were Bartman I would do it, if for nothing else but to capitalize on something that has been overblown as it is. If people aren't going to let this die, he might as well cash in when the oppotunities come along.I say others show up and beat the crap out of him for being so stupid. It's just like the guy at the Rangers game who interfered last week.

[STJL41]

I say others show up and beat the crap out of him for being so stupid. It's just like the guy at the Rangers game who interfered last week.

Yeah, some people have no sense. In my opinion people on the front rows should refrain from going after the ball until it hits the ground, mainly because a lot of players can still make the play (maybe). But SERIOUSLY, if you are going to interfere, don't do it when your team in on defense.

[KT2000]

Yeah, some people have no sense. In my opinion people on the front rows should refrain from going after the ball until it hits the ground, mainly because a lot of players can still make the play (maybe). But SERIOUSLY, if you are going to interfere, don't do it when your team in on defense.

Human nature doesn't work like that. If a ball is coming towards you, it is natural instinct to react. I saw the Bartman play as it unfolded live like most of you here I imagine. I don't think he did anything that the "average Joe" wouldn't have under the same circumstances.

They'd have to put up some kind of screen all the way around the field to prevent people from being able to reach over the railing.

[wesaxman34]

Bartman has declined all money offers and appearances including this one. I think it is smart for him to seclude himself from all this just to protect himself from the die hard Cubs fans who already want a shot at him.

Not only that, but he would be total sell out if he was basically being rewarded for supposedly keeping the Cubs out of the World Series.

[yankee]

I say others show up and beat the crap out of him for being so stupid. It's just like the guy at the Rangers game who interfered last week.

another classic lonny post...i hope you don't mean this...if you do, you're stupider than i thought.

[STJL41]

Human nature doesn't work like that. If a ball is coming towards you, it is natural instinct to react. I saw the Bartman play as it unfolded live like most of you here I imagine. I don't think he did anything that the "average Joe" wouldn't have under the same circumstances.

They'd have to put up some kind of screen all the way around the field to prevent people from being able to reach over the railing.

Yes, when the ball comes into the stands, people will always try and snag it and they have the right. Once the ball crosses the plane into the fan area it's fair game. And maybe your "average joe" would reach across the railing for a ball, but he/she should have more sense than that...that is interference, and thats exactly what Bartman did. With seats like that you have to be aware of the game at all times and realize that you can be part of the play at any second. People care more about getting a :Censor:ing ball than they do about letting the game be played, and thats why stupid stuff like this happens.

[STJL41]

Bartman has declined all money offers and appearances including this one. I think it is smart for him to seclude himself from all this just to protect himself from the die hard Cubs fans who already want a shot at him.

Not only that, but he would be total sell out if he was basically being rewarded for supposedly keeping the Cubs out of the World Series.

Cubs fans hate the man anyway...I think sell out might be an upgrade from pariah. :D

[KT2000]

People care more about getting a :Censor:ing ball than they do about letting the game be played, and thats why stupid stuff like this happens.

I don't condone it. Just saying, whenever a ball is hit towards the stands there are people reaching for it no matter where they are in the bleachers. I'm surprised Boston doesn't have more trouble with fans than it seems they do given the proximity of the fans to the field of play (particularly down the first base line).

[STJL41]

I don't condone it. Just saying, whenever a ball is hit towards the stands there are people reaching for it no matter where they are in the bleachers. I'm surprised Boston doesn't have more trouble with fans than it seems they do given the proximity of the fans to the field of play (particularly down the first base line).

And you're right, lots of people do it. It happens plenty and never affects a game (or at least not an important one). Bartman was in the right place at the right time to see Alou make a good play and, as far as I'm concerned, he choked. You don't touch THAT ball, not if you're a die hard fan who has been waiting Godknowshowlong for your team to be relevant again, which is the kind of fan I was lead to believe Bartman is/was.

But you're right, most people in that seat would have done the exact same thing. Not me :D but most people.

[tayb]

I got no problem doing it and might do it myself... as long as the team I am rooting for is batting :D.

[Favpack]

I got a better idea - let's have the shortstop that booted the next grounder - an easy double play ball - pay Bartmann $25k for keeping his name on the down-low.

I can't even remember the shortstop's name - lucky dude. He could be another Buckner, but Bartmann saved his butt.

[farmerfan]

another classic lonny post...i hope you don't mean this...if you do, you're stupider than i thought.

Bartman was not the only one going for that ball. It's easy to have a fall out and blame somebody but what about Gonzalez botching an inning ending double play prior to that?
What about the whole game 7 afterwards?
What makes us think Alou was going to catch the ball anyways?
Putting the sole blame on Bartman when others around him were not getting out of the way is idiotic.

[farmerfan]

I got a better idea - let's have the shortstop that booted the next grounder - an easy double play ball - pay Bartmann $25k for keeping his name on the down-low.

I can't even remember the shortstop's name - lucky dude. He could be another Buckner, but Bartmann saved his butt.

Alex Gonzalez and I agree.

[STJL41]

I'm not blaming Bartman for a Cubs loss. Any number of other things (including the botched double play) could have gone a bit differently and the Cub might have won. But it was their own play that sealed their fate, not a boneheaded move by a fan.

As far as Alou's chances, maybe he makes the play and maybe he doesn't, who knows? This link clearly shows Bartman touching Alou's glove, which gives me just another reason to call him an idiot. (I would post it here but I can't make it work for some reason)

http://bp2.blogger.com/_2J5KtWSIXnk/RwhQQtE-pgI/AAAAAAAAAMA/_sZ8xuR1PEA/s1600-h/SteveBartman.jpg