12/21/24
September 28, 2011
Catching Hell’ a Chilling Reminder of Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs: Fan’s Take: This film chronicles the tragic 2003 Chicago Cubs postseason and Steve Bartman's unfortunate role in its downfall. 'Catching Hell' is a masterpiece which brought me back to a dark time as a Cubs fan.
You forgot the word lovable.
posted by rcade at 04:41 PM on September 28, 2011
Just finished the documentary. I had to skip a bunch of the Buckner stuff, but the Bartman stuff was fascinating. It's pretty astounding that he's never capitalized on his infamy once in the eight years since it happened. He hasn't done a single interview.
I wasn't aware that he had friends at the game who abandoned him when things became heated, leaving him to be snuck out of the park after hours disguised as a security guard. Jim Cuthbert, a fan thrown out of the game for abusing Bartman and challenging him to a fight, is still unapologetic to this day about his behavior.
posted by rcade at 08:10 PM on September 28, 2011
I always found it incredible how much hate was bestowed on Bartman. There were several others reaching for that ball, if Bartman didn't catch it one of them would have.
I was not aware of how involved the behind the scenes activity was around getting Bartman out of his seat, and then out of the stadium.
posted by dviking at 01:23 AM on September 29, 2011
I watched the show, mainly because I have always felt so bad for Steve Bartman. The fact he was held so responsible for the Cubs losing that game, and that series, pretty much captures, in a nutshell, why the Cubs organization and a great many of their followers were, and still are, losers.