I was thinking of the Chicago Cubs fan who snatched a foul ball from the outfielder's glove of his favorite baseball team this week during a crucial game. I share a common experience with that guy that I'll mention in a bit.
The Cubs lost that game, which tied the National League Championship Series with the Florida Marlins, forcing another game last night. The Cubs lost that game, too, adding another notch on the bedpost of failed attempts to be considered the best. For years, the Cubs haven't even been considered mediocre: 1945 was the last time the team was in World Series contention; 1908 was the last time it won the World Series. But that's not really fair to say, because "the team" comprises different people, coaches and staff each year. But try telling THAT to longtime Cubs fans. To them, their beleagured team's longstanding "loser" status is personal and constant.
When that fan caught that foul ball, rather than allowing the player to make the easy out, it became a personal assault against the poor guy. Having been to several baseball games, I can tell you: when a ball is coming for you, your instict is to try to catch it. Same for when they shoot T-shirts out of bazookas. You get caught up in the moment, and before you know it, you've stepped on your fellow fans to nab something you don't really care about owning in the first place.
In the end, sports are just games. Sure, they are played by millionaire/celebrities in expensive venues. Sure, financially backed strategy sometimes determines the winners more than playing with heart does. But sports' longstanding tradition connects us to the past and the present. Some father-son relationships express love better through shared sporting interests, whether it's football, baseball or hunting. Friendships are built on the common ground of team pride. Amateur players can pin their hopes, dreams and scholarships on someday making it big in their chosen game. Sports employs many many more people than merely the athletes, which makes them important to our economy.
As I was watching the Cubs lose Game 7 last night, I thought about that Cubs fan. I've done something similar – not as widely known, and I hope with less severe consequences for the athlete's future.
I was a reporter/photographer for a small daily newspaper. The annual rodeo was in full swing, and it was the first evening of festivities. During the barrel racing competition, I positioned myself in the stands next to one of the barrels to get a great photo. It was dark, so I had my flash attached and charged up. I looked through the lens, waited for the perfect moment, and snapped the shutter. BAM! The horse was blinded by the flash and stopped as if he'd hit a brick wall. The crowd gasped. I sheepishly slinked off in shame to another part of the arena.
My inexperience at the time let me make the rookie mistake: you've got to wait until the horse has rounded the barrel and put his head down before you shoot the photo so that the bright light doesn't hit him head-on. The rider was probably not too happy with my action because it cost her a spot in the next round. My heart was broken because I had dumbly stuck my stupid butt into the ring and affected the outcome of what I was there only to observe and record. I learned that lesson the hard way, and was determined never to repeat such a gaffe.
So I feel for that long-armed Cubs fan, and I empathize with fans and sports pundits who've blown the incident out of proportion. His action may have affected the team's spirit and heralded a turning point in the series. But the punishment he is feeling inside is probably enough pain to teach him a lesson. Let's move on. Leave him alone. Forgive him; I know you won't forget. It was one game out of a long history of games, and one to be replaced by more chances in the future. The Cubs have proven even the underdog can paw his way close enough to smell the sirloin steak of victory on the table. There is always next year.
I've been saying this for two days. That "kid" did nothing more than each and every one of us would have done. He saw a ball heading his way and he tried to get it. If you watch the tape, so did every single other person around the area.
As children, we all dreamed of catching a ball at a game. As adults, many still dream of this. I think it is insane to blame this guy for the failed attempt of the Cubs.
-d
I understand completely and prolly would have done the same thing. The Cubs might not have won even if that ball had been caught.. but hot and holy man does that suck. I was totally psyched for the Cubs to maybe, just maybe win and then the world falls apart.
IMHO, those baseball players are professionals and should not have been so terribly rattled by one missed out. Even if the ball had been caught and the out had been granted, they still would've had to earn four more outs without allowing a score. Blaming the loss on that fan is ridiculous. As much as we all hated to see it, the Cubbies choked.
I agree....what a weak excuse for "blowin' it". The Cubs were up 3-1.....I think they got too relaxed in this series and flat-out let it slip away. I figured when some of the fans sobered up over the next few days.....they would let it go....NOPE!!! I think most die hard Cub fans probably would have gone for the ball......especially if they didn't see the player going for it....like the poor fan getting blamed....he never saw anything other than a souvenir ball heading his way!!!
The guy was just an easy scapegoat for frustrated Cubs fans. I feel for the Cubs, but that guy was not the one who caused the Marlins to score 8 runs in that game.
Good story! If people did not intentionally mean to do "harm" or were truly sorry for what they have done, others should let it go!
I agree with lotus. He's an easy target for the disappointment of the game 7 loss.
Check out my new blog home, T!
T-Bone did your site change again or the address? I can't get to your site from mine anymore, and I've noticed it on a few other blogs. I can only get to you through Secret Agent Jospehine's. Hope all is well.
And yes that poor cubs fan..but I could give a whoot, I just need my Yankees to win tonight!
T-Bone did your site change again or the address? I can't get to your site from mine anymore, and I've noticed it on a few other blogs. I can only get to you through Secret Agent Jospehine's. Hope all is well.
And yes that poor cubs fan..but I could give a whoot, I just need my Yankees to win tonight!
Very true. Everyone hates this guy, but he's not the reason they didnt' win the game. Anyone would have done the same thing- Alou isn't even mad at him. He's just a scape goat for some fans who are tired of losing and won't put the blame where it should be.
the cubs need an out...they continually dog it. this kiddo gives them the big out. i say take your butts OUT on the field and practice a little more!
did you see the photo of him catching the ball? everyone had their hands out to catch the ball!
leave the poor man alone already!
Here! Here! I couldn't agree with you more. I think that people need to realize that it's just a game, not life. Yes, I know, I'm setting myself up to be attacked by the hardcore fan, but seriously, they need to just let it go. It could have happend to anyone. I'm sure next year there will be a scandal to replace this one, and it will be "bigger" than this one.
Let me first say that I don't know nothin' bout sports.
Now that that is out of the way, when i read the article about the cubs fan i thought it was a joke. i mean, people actually hate this poor guy. i think it's a little ridiculous. it's just a stupid game. i mean REALLY. now he has to hide from cubs fans every where? as if there weren't more important things for people to be angry about . sheesh.
Seriously, people should get some perspective. That guy was just unlucky enough that his hand, out of the hundreds of hands reaching for the ball, actually touched it.
But it's ok - people will forget about it soon. We (and the media) have short memories.
Popular topic, poor bastard. He really should think about that offer of a free hiatus in Florida. Hope it doesn't wreck his life.
Hey T-Bone-->
I couldn't agree more... You definitely know my feelings and anyone interested could read my blog...
I'm glad you (and Chad) were helping me root for my Cubbies, but it is what it is... (or was what it was...)
It's over for Chicago this year, onto next.
And being in Chgo, I can say that it does seem to be settling down a bit. I think *most* rational people who were initially pissed, were feeling sorry for the kid the next day...
:) It is only a game... There was Game 7 which the Cubbies lost all on their own, thank you very little.
Did you hear that Chicago radio stations were giving out the poor guys home address, phone number, and where he worked? Not good. And, just on the news, a place in Florida is offering him three months free rent if he wants to move down there...
I don't know a thing about baseball, but I was told that if the Cubs won the series it would be the end of the world. So it's just as well. Maybe the poor guy saved life as we know it.