Death Trap in the Windy City

Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 5:19 PM

The curse in Chicago continues.

Sportsbuy.com and the National Sports Collectors Convention have devised a way to get a lot of marketing without ever having to pay a dime.

Infamous Cubs fan Steve Bartman has been offered a cool $25,000 to show up to the National Sports Collectors Convention memorabilia show in suburban Chicago and sign just one picture of him destroying the World Series dreams of Cubs fans everywhere getting tangled up with Moises Alou in Game 6 of the '03 NLCS.

To collect the cash, all Bartman has to do is show up at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., at 1 p.m. on July 31, prove his identity and sign a photograph of the infamous play. It will then be auctioned on a Web site with the proceeds going to a Chicago-based charity, according to a news release for the event.

"No one in sports memorabilia history has ever been paid $25,000 to sign one autograph -- not Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, or any other athlete," said Mike Berkus, co-Executive Director of The National. "Steve Bartman has been a recluse for years, but we're hopeful that he will accept our invitation and generous offer to appear ... We have personal security to provide to Steve at The National and to a destination of his choosing."

It's an ingenious marketing plan, really, because I'm sure the organizers know they're dealing with probably the only man on Earth who wouldn't simply sign his name and then collect $25K. In the almost five years since his name became synonymous with the Billy Goat curse, Bartman has turned down every single interview request that has come his way and no doubt also said no to numerous book-TV-movie deals that were worth much, much more than what a bunch of baseball card dealers are offering here.

What's worth noting, though, is just how much attention just the mention of Bartman's name in a press release can draw. Can you imagine what it'd be like if he actually showed up for one of these stunts?

Comments
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[Show most recent comments first]

He'd prolly get the snot knocked out of him by some crazed Cubbies fan.

Any and all Cards fans would wanna shake his hand.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, Jul 23, 2008, at 6:54 PM

Bobby Greer's response:

Cardinal fans are very fortunate indeed!

It is absolutely absurd to hear what has happen to this poor kid. He was lamb basted all over the news and radio for trying to do what 99% of us would do in the same situation, catch a foul ball. Moises Alou's sorry *** wasn't going to catch that ball. Then the Cub's made several miscue's after the Barkman incident that actually lost the game for them. And the worst thing about it was the Governor of Illinois blasted Barkman on national TV. I hope he does show, so he can at least get paid for having to go into hiding. What a shame.

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Jul 23, 2008, at 10:36 PM

Bobby Greer's response:

This guy should have moved out of Chicago and taken some of the movie/interview money.

As a Cardinal fan, I can't wait to see what the Cubs will blame not winning the World Series on this year!

Its BarTman Bot Sconn.

Agree 100%.

Flipper, I wouldn't shake the guy's hand, he is a Cubbie's fan.

Also Bot, don't forget the Cubbies lost that game, but also lost game 7 with Kerry Woods on the hill. Here is to another Cub's choke job in 2008.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Jul 24, 2008, at 5:38 PM

Completly

Useless

September

WAIT 'TILL NEXT YEAR!!!!!!

-- Posted by dexter_dad on Fri, Jul 25, 2008, at 5:09 PM

Wrigley Field...World's largest gay bar.

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Sat, Jul 26, 2008, at 1:20 AM

I feel sorry for Mr. Bartman, his actions on that fateful night will forever be linked to the Cubs yet again not getting to the World Series. But I would like to call for all the Cubs bashing on this blog to stop please. I spent most of my life in Dexter, and consider myself a Cards fan, but beyond that, I am a baseball fan and have deep empathy with the GENERATIONS of Cubs fans that have yet to see their beloved team PLAY in a World Series, much less win one. Think about it, I was born in 1968 and in my lifetime alone the Cardinals have been in 6 Series, winning 2. The Cubs last appearance was 1945, just a few months after World War II ended! And their last championship was 1908, for crying out loud! All I am asking for is a little easing up on the Cub bashing, is all. Have a nice day!

-- Posted by chuckd on Mon, Jul 28, 2008, at 9:12 AM

Bobby Greer's response:

No can do chuckd. Have you ever been to a sporting event in Chicago and heard the way their fans treat Cardinal fans? It's almost sickening.

The Cardinals have the best fans in baseball.... ask ESPN. Cardinal fans are respectful of the game and opposing players far more than any other team's fans..... ask ESPN. Cardinal fans bash the Cubs in fun, not in hate. Maybe someday the Cubs will win the World Series (NOT!) and then the Cardinal red we hold over their head will disappear for a while.

Bobby, yes, I have been to games at Wrigley and for the most part, fans were respectful, although some were bitter and mean. That is the nature of sports fans, there are always a few bad apples. I agree that Cardinal fans are the best in baseball, the most respectful of visiting teams and generally the nicest fans around. This Cards-Cubs rivalry is no where near the pure hatred level of the Yankees-Red Sox (thank God), and for this I am grateful. As far as Mr. Bartman is concerned, I have a great deal of sympathy for him, Cub fans seem to forget that their team fell apart and lost that game AFTER Bartman's incident. Yes, most Cub fans choose to hold him responsible, the same way a lot of Cards fans still hold Don Denkinger responsible for losing the 85 Series. They forget that the Cards still had plenty of chances to win that World Series. Anyway, back to my original point that I wish Cards fans could see things from the Cubs fans point of view (the nice fans), I don't see that happening, but have a happy day anyway! Go Cubbies!

-- Posted by chuckd on Mon, Jul 28, 2008, at 1:08 PM

Bobby Greer's response:

OK... I agree with the rivalry not being to the hate standard of the Yankees and Red Sox and I'm glad. Those fans get downright nasty! Not good for sports. Philadelphia fans are right there too!

I don't Cub bash out of hatred. It is merely out of fun. It is only a matter of time before they do win the Series. I know that. Heck, this may be the year. I just don't want to see it because then it won't be as fun holding all of the Cardinal championships over the head of Cub fans.

I respect your decision to be a Cub fan. There are millions of people who like to root for the underdog.

Bartman.... I'm sure his life has been miserable, but why is he still in Chicago? He should have taken a big money deal and moved to Cancun. He could still watch the Cubs collapse every year on satellite. But I do feel for the guy. Man, I can't imagine having millions of fans instantly turn on me like they did him. I'm surprised the guy isn't in a mental hospital or dead.

Bobby, I have often wondered myself why Bartman chooses to stay in the Chicago area, if it were me, I think I would have been long gone by now. The Cub fans were completely horrible to him, I wouldn't blame him for moving away. On the other hand, I recall some Cardinal "fans" being very disrespectful toward Don Denkinger after the 85 Series, I seem to even remember some death threats against him, that is definetely taking things too far. Honestly, I don't really mind the Cub bashing, I am used to it. I really do like the Cardinals, and root for them all the time (except for when they play the Cubs). I relished every minute of their championship in 2006, they have a good team this year, and I wish them well, but until my Cubbies finally win a title, the Cards will always have to come second with me. I enjoy your blog and columns Bobby, keep up the good work. Go Cubbies!!!!

-- Posted by chuckd on Tue, Jul 29, 2008, at 3:56 PM

Bobby G., what happened to the "Shark" blog?

-- Posted by BonScott on Tue, Jul 29, 2008, at 8:00 PM

I would say the Denkinger incident is in a category all its OWN. The guy blew a call that gave the Royals a World Series. Cubs suck and choke and have for the last 100. Live with it and enjoy that you root for a loser.

Cards fans are the best......simple.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 9:43 AM

chuckd...... the "Shark" blog was starting to get a little out of hand so I removed it.

-- Posted by greer958 on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 11:11 AM

The Cubs suck...Wrigley Field is the world's largest gay bar...but, it is great for a game and the beer and hot dogs are cheap compared to everywhere else. Plus, me and my friends wearing Cardinal shirts watching them play the Cubs at Wrigley was great. No bad sportsmanship at all...unless you're a wimp.

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Fri, Aug 1, 2008, at 1:22 AM

Run with it

Bobby Greer

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Bobby is currently the General Manager and Assistant Publisher at the Daily Statesman after serving his term as Managing Editor. He wears many hats in the office, including coordinator of all things online, but his real passion is sports.

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