Vintage Chicago Tribune offers a look back at events, places and people involved in shaping Chicago’s past, present and future, in ways both small and big.
Cubs left fielder Moises Alou's arm is seen reaching into the stands, at right, unsuccessfully for a foul ball against the Florida Marlins, as fan Steve Bartman deflects the ball, at top, in the eighth inning during Game 6 of the National League championship series on Oct. 14, 2003 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
A 26-year-old spectator seated in Section 4, Row 8, Seat 113 and initially identified in the media as The Fan reached over the Wrigley Field railing for a foul fly in the top of the eighth inning of the sixth game of the National League Championship Series, a game the Cubs were leading 3-0 with just five more outs to clinch their first World Series berth since 1945. The Fan deflected the ball out of the mitt of Cubs outfielder Moises Alou.
The fan was mercilessly harassed by Cubs’ fans after the incident and the Cubs fell apart, going on to lose that game and the next game. After 14 years and thousands of replays, the Cubswith a 2016 World Series ring, hoping to create closure on what they called “an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated” over the years.
Perhaps the most remarkable storyline in the years since the 2003 game is that this fan, Steve Bartman, has managed to remain private.