Alou admission too late for Bartman
Moises Alou's admission comes about four-and-half years too late to save Steve Bartman from the life of a recluse but the former Cub is now saying that he probably could not have caught the foul ball heard round the world.
Just in case you're a cricket fan, the date was Oct. 14, 2003 and the place was Wrigley Field where Game 6 of the NL Championship Series was being played between Chicago and Florida. The Cubs led the series, 3-2, and led the game, 3-0, in the eighth with one out and one on.
The Marlins' Luis Castillo was batting and lofted a foul ball toward the stands that left fielder Moises Alou was tracking. Even if you are a cricket fan, you should know what happened next. Mr. Alou, meet Mr. Bartman. Russ Hodges wasn't there to yell, "The Marlins won the pennant, the Marlins won the pennant," but, of course, they did as the Cubs imploded.
At the time, Alou insisted he could have caught the ball and his body language made Bartman, then 26, a subject of loathing and derision especially in his hometown.
So this is what Alou, now a Met, has to say about that play in an interview with the Associated Press.
"Everywhere I play, even now, people still yell, 'Bartman! Bartman!' I feel really bad."
"You know what the funny thing is? I wouldn't have caught it anyway."
Photo credit: Amy Sancetta, AP
Comments
The picture seams to tell a different story. I want to believe Alou, since he was actually there. Reminds me of the kid here at Baltimore that intefered with the ball that would be ruled a HR for the Yankees.
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Capt.,
The shame of it for Bartman is that he was a Cubs fan, apparently was unaware that he was interferring and the incident has had such an enormpous impact on his life.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | April 2, 2008 12:18 PM
I agree, I remember the photos and the million replays as i was living in Chicago at the time, and it seemed like Alou had a really good shot at the ball. It's nice that he says otherwise now and I think the cruelty towards a guy who just made a mistake (why would you wear headphones to the game) was stupid. And we have no idea what would have happened had Alou caught the ball and gotten the out, but the ball seemed playable and Alou seemed to have a good read on it.
Posted by: Eileen | April 2, 2008 12:48 PM
Alou wouldn't have caught it only because his name isn't Jeter. LOL
Posted by: Ken Francis | April 2, 2008 4:09 PM