Give Me a Break!

Give me a break!

Do you remember Steve Bartman? Bartman is the Cubs' fan who caught a foul ball that was still in play. Moises Alou, the Cubs' left-fielder was going to attempt a play on the ball and didn't give the opportunity.

After that play the Cubs fell apart and lose the game and lost the playoffs.

Bartman is being offered to attend a sports' show and if he autographs one copy of his 'catch' they will give him $25,000.00.

Bartman is still hated in Chicago and blamed the the Cubs losing the 2003 National League Championship Series to the Marlins.

Luis Castillo hit a foul ball that Alou went after. Alou never caught the ball (and this day questions whether he actually WOULD caught the ball---that was NOT a given...)

* Castillo, given new life, drew a walk. Ball four was a wild pitch from Cubs starter Mark Prior, which allowed Pierre to advance to third base.

Bartman did not throw the wild pitch.

* Iván Rodríguez singled to drive in the first run of the inning, making the score 3-1.

Bartman was not the pitcher giving up the hit.

* Miguel Cabrera hit a ground ball to Alex S. Gonzalez, who misfielded the ball. Had Gonzalez fielded the ball properly, the Cubs could possibly have ended the half-inning with a double play. Instead all runners were safe and the bases were loaded.

Bartman was not on the field with Gonzalez.

* Derrek Lee doubled, tying the score and chasing Prior from the game.

Again, Bartman was not pitching.

* Relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth issued an intentional walk, then gave up a sacrifice fly to give Florida a 4-3 lead. Another intentional walk again loaded the bases.

Again, Bartman was not pitching.

* A bases-clearing double from Mike Mordecai broke the game open, making the score 7-3.

Again, Bartman was not pitching and not fielding allow the double to fall in.

* Pierre singled to put Florida ahead 8-3.

Again, Bartman was not pitching.

* Finally Luis Castillo, whose foul popup initiated the controversy, popped out to second to end the inning. In total, the Marlins had sent twelve batters to the plate and scored eight runs. Florida won the game 8-3.

The Bartman play took place when there was only one out and the play itself was not a hit. It was a foul ball.

Here is the sad reality that Cubs' fans need to grasp. Steve Bartman did not lose the game for them. The Cubs lost the game. Bad pitching and bad fielding lost the game.

I think it's about time people give Steve Bartman a rest. He didn't blow the Cubs' season. The Cubs did.

This year the Cubs look good, very good. They are a distinct possibility to go to the World Series this year. If they succeed it will be because they played well; if they don't, it's because another team beat them.

And Steve Bartman, again, will have nothing to do with it.