A Guy I Really Empathize With

I'm counting down the minutes until the Cubs first post-season game begins at 6:30. As the playoffs begin, I can't help but remember the Steve Bartman incident from five years ago.

Steve Bartman is a guy I really empathize with. I wasn't at the game. I was watching it on TV. But what if I would have been at the game - occupying seat 113 in row 8 of section 4? I'm sure I would have put my hands up to catch the ball. Moises would have thrown his glove in disgust at my "interference." It would have been the "Gall Incident." I would have been escorted from the stands by security, added to the list of Cub's curses and hated by fellow fans.

It could have been me. That was my thought as I watched that game five years ago. It could have been anyone.

A guy vilified for doing something that most anyone would have done. I feel really bad for Steve Bartman.

While staying out of the public spotlight as much as possible since the incident, Steve Bartman has shown nothing but class in dealing with the situation. I'm not so sure I would have been so classy dealing with it, had it been me - starting with being asked to leave by security for trying to catch a ball that was headed for my skull. I think I would have informed security that since I didn't do anything wrong I think it is their responsibility to keep me safe in my seat while I watch the rest of the game. I probably then would have been physically carried out of Wrigley - hopeful refraining from kicking and screaming. My graciousness probably would have spiraled downhill from there; instead of issuing an apology, demanding one from Alex Gonzalez for mishandling an easy double play ball that would have gotten the Cubs safely out of the inning.

So whatever happened to Steve Bartman? There is a great article on ESPN.com written by Wayne Drehs who spent days trying to track Steve down in hopes of getting an interview out of him. It's really a fantastic story and well worth reading.