Steve Bartman Gets His Own Chicago Cubs World Series Ring

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Cubs have decided to give an official 2016 World Series ring to Steve Bartman, the fan who's remembered for becoming tangled up with Cubs left fielder Moises Alou as they both tried to catch a foul ball in the stands during Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series, according to WGN-TV News. At the time, the infamous play became emblematic of the Cubs' continuing history of disastrous postseasons as Chicago went on to blow its lead in that game against the Florida Marlins and then lose Game 7 — as well as the series and the team's chance at its first World Series appearance in nearly a century. That dark rain cloud of bad luck was finally lifted last year after the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians to win its first World Series title in 108 years.

Cubs chairman and co-owner Tom Ricketts said in a statement Monday that the ring was a special gift to Bartman, who has been in self exile from Wrigley Field and the public eye since the unfortunate incident 14 years ago, the TV station reports. Ricketts also considers the gesture as a way to finally put to rest the ghosts of that game. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake View and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

“We hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated throughout our quest to win a long-awaited World Series," Ricketts said in his statement to WGN. "While no gesture can fully lift the public burden he has endured for more than a decade, we felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization. After all he has sacrificed, we are proud to recognize Steve Bartman with this gift today.”

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Considering himself unworthy to receive a ring, Bartman, in his own statement to WGN, said he was "deeply moved and sincerely grateful" for the gift. He also thanked the Ricketts family for their support since buying the team in 2009.

"My family and I will cherish [the ring] for generations," Bartman said in his statement. "Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over."

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Of course, no press release from Bartman, who has refused to do interviews and participate in press coverage since the 2003 game, would be complete without a request that the media respect his privacy and the privacy of his family, as well as a statement that he will not be making any further comments concerning the Cubs' gesture.

More via WGN-TV News

Steve Bartman tries to catch a foul ball as the glove of Chicago Cubs left fielder Moises Alou reaches into the stands during Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins at Wrigley Field. (Photo by Morry Gash | Associated Press)

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