Chicago Cubs baseball!!!

Indifference71 said:

HesCalledDyer said:

Indifference71 said:

HesCalledDyer said:

Statement from Steve Bartman:

“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."

Can't they just leave this fucking guy alone already?!?!?  

Who?  The Cubs?  This was all the fans' fault and the media as he mentioned (and I'll throw in Moises Alou, for good measure).  Nothing to do with the organization.  I think it's a very professional and classy move for the Chicago Cubs to extend this offer to Mr. Bartman.  I'm sure if he harbored any disdain or pain from the organization itself, he might have declined.  Perhaps this is the first big step in everyone - the Cubs, the fans, and the media - moving forward for the better.

For all the Mr. Bartman has endured, this is an exceptional offering by the organization on behalf of anyone and everyone who has ridiculed him for 14 years.

Now, we, the fans, should "leave him alone already."  Ease his pain.

Oh yeah- very nice gesture by the Cubs.  Just drives me nuts every time we hear about this guy...he has made it clear he doesn't want to talk to the media and just wants to be left alone.  I just feel bad for the guy....his life was ruined by the idiot fans who blamed him and the media who wouldn't leave him alone.  Alex Gonzalez is the one who everyone should have blamed!!