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'Catching Hell' (Steve Bartman / Cubs docu)

posted 12 years ago by brian-740
9 replies | jump to latest

I recently got the DVD of Catching Hell and re-watched it. As an objective observer (not a Cubs fan or friends with Bartman, or enemies for that matter), it's ALWAYS bugged the hell out of me these last nine years that he got the heat that he got.

Something occurred to me this viewing: if the foul ball incident is to be considered the starting point of the Cubs' subsequent meltdown in that 8th inning, the argument could be made that Moises Alou is the one to be blamed, and not Bartman.

In the documentary, there were several interview subjects that said, based on their view of that portion of the park, they were unable to tell that anything objectionable had happened....UNTIL Alou threw a temper tantrum. It was ALOU acting like a child that put an exclamation point on the play, which led to the "air getting sucked out of the stadium". It seemed to rattle the entire team.

I'm not saying that Gonzales wouldn't have booted that double play ball if Alou had kept his composure. But I AM saying that Alou's outburst is what transmitted to the rest of the park, including the players, that "something" had happened. The players ALLOWED it to be the catalyst it became. The loss is 100% on them.

[–] ktowny 12 years ago

Spot on. One comment about the Bartman episode. It was like they were discecting the Zupruder film, wasn't it?

Love's turned to lust and blood's turned to dust in my heart.

[–] dkgambler 10 years ago

Agree completely. Alou runs away like he should, knowing that balls in the stands are always a dicey proposition, and I don't think anything happens. Alou is a loser, the Cubs choked and were losers, and their fans were losers.

[–] Kasperman14 10 years ago

I found it laughable that all the other people involved in the stands were sitting talking about the play years later for a documentary (getting compensated no doubt). All those people went after the ball as well and live normal lives while Steve Bartman lives in hiding. Pathetic in my opinion.

[–] everydayboredom1980 9 years ago

I've always disliked Alou as his hissy-fit led to the way to these idiots treating Bartman like he was the one who cost the Cubs the series.

[–] neglndr 9 years ago

Alou should have kept his cool and Gonzales shouldn't have booted that ground ball. Even Dusty Baker should take some blame for allowing his team to unravel like they did. It reminded me of Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. Don Denkinger made a terrible call but Whitey Herzog's meltdown was what caused the Cardinals to come apart.

I felt terrible for Steve Bartman. Those Cubs fans were animals and then the radio shows with people calling in saying they had found out were Bartman had lived and were going to get him. I am surprised there wasn't any arrests made that night.

[–] SALTER-pt 9 years ago

I've always disliked Alou as his hissy-fit led to the way to these idiots treating Bartman like he was the one who cost the Cubs the series

No, nothing led to the disgraceful behaviour towards Bartman other than those perpetuating it. Anyone who would be driven to violence and issuing death threats over a game is simply beyond pathetic, and such people are the scum of the earth.

The female mind is, after all solely tuned to being self-serving - rjfme

[–] Rockhound6165 9 years ago

Question: Why does no one hold Bernie Mac responsible for jinxing them? I mean, he sang Take Me Out to The Ballgame and referred to the Cubs as Champs. Right after he did that I looked at my wife and said, "uh-oh" and "uh-oh" happened.

[–] SEINFELDbeatFRIENDS 9 years ago

Alou should have been calling "I GOT IT" so the fans knew to back out of the way. Yes I agree with SALTER as well those fans were scumbags....its just a game no reason to give death threats over it.

[–] Rockhound6165 7 years ago

Question: Now that the Cubs finally won the World Series, does the healing over the Bartman incident begin in earnest? After all, Bill Bucknor and Boston mended fences after the Sawx finally won and he had more to do with the Sawx losing than Bartman had with the Cubs losing.