Source: Gino Santa Maria / Getty
Having ended their title drought, the Chicago Cubs want their most notorious fan to share in their good fortune.
The Cubs announced Monday they were giving a World Series ring to Steve Bartman, who deflected a foul ball that might have landed in left fielder Moises Alou’s glove with Chicago five outs from the World Series in 2003.
As CBS Chicago notes, in the aftermath of the game, Alou and manager Dusty Baker insinuated that Alou likely would’ve caught the ball and that the outcome could’ve been different.
Bartman was harassed after the incident and has avoided the spotlight since. Chicago beat Cleveland last fall for its first championship since 1908.
Bartman released a statement saying he is “deeply moved and sincerely grateful.” He praised team owners the Ricketts family and management, and called the ring a reminder of “how we should treat each other in today’s society.
