Catching Hell

[UNTflyer]

This has become my new favorite "30 for 30" documentary.

The Bartman Incident was looked at in-depth. The focus was on the fan reaction during the final two innings, and how as the Marlins scored each run the fans got uglier toward Bartman. They then looked at the media reaction during and after the game and how Bartman's life was affected and still is affected today.

There were a few minutes where they focused on the ancient ritual of the scapegoat, and how Bartman became the scapegoat not just for this particular loss, but for 80+ years of Cubs frustration.

There was also some "What If?" discussion. What if Moises Alou had simply walked back to his position in left field instead of reacting the way he did? What if the Fox producers in the truck had not focused on Bartman, returning to show his face after every run came across the plate? What if the ump had called fan interference and called the batter out?

There are some story elements I had never heard before, like what happened in the hours after the game ended and how Bartman made it home alive.

Bartman handled this whole thing with class. He could have made a lot of money doing interviews, appearances, etc. He didn't. And today he lives his Chicago life in anonimity.

Finally, the end of the documentary asked (parphrasing): The question is not whether Chicago fans can forgive Steve Bartman. It should be whether Steve Bartman can forgive the city of Chicago.

[Coffee and TV]

The only question it didn't answer...and maybe this is no fault of anyone's because Bartman won't do interviews, is whether or not he still attends games at Wrigley. I'm dying to know this.

[Censored by Laurie]

The only question it didn't answer...and maybe this is no fault of anyone's because Bartman won't do interviews, is whether or not he still attends games at Wrigley. I'm dying to know this.

Is this a bit? There is no way he could ever show his face on the north side...maybe Chicago as a whole.

[UNTflyer]

Is this a bit? There is no way he could ever show his face on the north side...maybe Chicago as a whole.

He still lives in Chicago. There was a part of the program that suggested that since he has a kind of plain face, nobody would recognize him without the turtleneck, hat, and earphones.

[Censored by Laurie]

He still lives in Chicago. There was a part of the program that suggested that since he has a kind of plain face, nobody would recognize him without the turtleneck, hat, and earphones.

Really? Wow...I only caught the gentle Muser re-cap in passing this morning...I can't believe he still lives in Chicago. Buckner had to move to Idaho, and I don't think the Boston fan base was anywhere near as openly violent and threatening towards him as they were to Bartman.

[UNTflyer]

I think the documentary really shed a lot of light on sports fandom, mob mentality, and the role of the media.

[Grant.UNT]

This was an incredible story. Shame on the media for blaming this guy, at the time. Shame on Moises Alou for calling this dude out, and shame on the fans for not blaming Alex Gonzales, after he fumbled a routine double play on the very next play. This dude did what any good fan would do. He tried to catch a baseball that was leaving the field of play. Anybody that says they would have the presence of mind to refrain from reaching based on the circumstances of the game is a big fat liar!!

[Green Mean]

The Cubs' suckdom can continue for another century or two.

[golfingomez]

it was excellent, considering how monumental that collapse was, and the mystery involving Steve Bartman, I had always thought it was an interesting subject, it was nice to hear this awesome recap

[Army of Dad]

This was an incredible story. Shame on the media for blaming this guy, at the time. Shame on Moises Alou for calling this dude out, and shame on the fans for not blaming Alex Gonzales, after he fumbled a routine double play on the very next play. This dude did what any good fan would do. He tried to catch a baseball that was leaving the field of play. Anybody that says they would have the presence of mind to refrain from reaching based on the circumstances of the game is a big fat liar!!

Uh, on the very few occasions I have sat along the railing I have thought about just that scenario in advance. Failing to have a plan is planning to fail.

You had better believe I am doing my best to catch a foul ball that is on my side of the railing if it my team's turn at the plate. If it is my fielder trying to make the play I am trying to get out of his way and let him get the out. As yet, I haven't had a chance to put my plan into action, but one day...

[UNTflyer]

Uh, on the very few occasions I have sat along the railing I have thought about just that scenario in advance. Failing to have a plan is planning to fail.

You had better believe I am doing my best to catch a foul ball that is on my side of the railing if it my team's turn at the plate. If it is my fielder trying to make the play I am trying to get out of his way and let him get the out. As yet, I haven't had a chance to put my plan into action, but one day...

I think we'd all like to believe that is what we'd do. How many times do we see this play during the regular season? How often do fans interfere with foul ball plays?

Just a week or so ago, this happened during a Rangers game and the fan was proudly showing the ball to the camera even as the announcers were tsk-tsk-ing him for not letting the Rangers player make a play.

I think in the thrill of the moment when you have about 3 seconds to decide what to do and the people around you are pressing forward to catch the ball, you just do what instinct or the crowd is doing and try to catch it.

At any rate, I'd love to see a campaign to forgive Bartman and bring him back to Wrigley.

[UNT90]

God: "What's that going on down there. A baseball game? Who's playing? The Cubs? They have not won in forever. Maybe I should keep my eye on this. Wait, I have an idea. Let's give their fans a test. After all, players come and go, but it is the fan that has suffered through all that losing, so let's see if they deserve a World Series. Let's put a pop fly riiiiight there. Now, let's have an ordinary fan, one of their own, do what any fan would do. There ya go. About as borderline as I can make it. Now let's see how their fans react to this poor kid's plight...............................What the heck?? Well, that answers that question. No game 7 win. Guess I'll check back in another 80 years. After all, I've got a lot more important stuff to do"

[UNTflyer]

Reminds me of a joke.

A Cubs fan dies and goes to heaven. God says, "You have been good and faithful and longsuffering. You may ask me one question you've always wanted to ask."

The Cubs fan thinks for a second and says, "Will the Cubs ever win a World Series again?"

God says, "Yes. But not in my lifetime."

[FloMoGrad]

It was a great film, my wife even sat down and watched it start to finish and she has zero interest in baseball. I imagine he still goes to games, he still lives in the same house and works in the city. Did find it interesting his lawyer said he doesn't use credit cards with his name on them to avoid the reaction. I wouldn't wish that whole situation on my worst enemy, and the city of Boston opened their arms wide for Buckner as soon as they one a series. I was watching the Texas game against the A's when the same thing happened, I was actually laughing at the idiot and thinking about this film as soon as it happened. I imagine general sports fandom has declined so greatly in sports etiquette and knowledge that 95% of fans would do the same thing. Feel forry for Bartman, his name is now a verb.

[Green Mean]

It was a great film, my wife even sat down and watched it start to finish and she has zero interest in baseball. I imagine he still goes to games, he still lives in the same house and works in the city. Did find it interesting his lawyer said he doesn't use credit cards with his name on them to avoid the reaction. I wouldn't wish that whole situation on my worst enemy, and the city of Boston opened their arms wide for Buckner as soon as they one a series. I was watching the Texas game against the A's when the same thing happened, I was actually laughing at the idiot and thinking about this film as soon as it happened. I imagine general sports fandom has declined so greatly in sports etiquette and knowledge that 95% of fans would do the same thing. Feel forry for Bartman, his name is now a verb.

His house location got out when this happened. The man is living in the Chicago area but no way in hell he's in the same house and he definitely doesn't attend any more games. I realize he looks totally different now and no one would probably recognize him but he's done a hell of a job to be in hiding that long and so well.