anyone watch ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary on Steve Bartman last night?

[charlie and algernon]

I thought it was great, certianly one of the better ones in this series. It explored the idea of the scapegoat in sports and compared Billy Buckner in 1986 to Bartman in 2003. Bartman didn't appear on the documenatry, but Buckner was on and talked about the hell he got from fans.

But man, those Cubs fans were insane. They played a bunch of home movies recorded during the game to capture the fan reaction. It showed how it spread through the stadium that people found out who was responsible for the botched play. That was a mighty dark period for Cubs fans, how UGLY they reacted towards a kid when anyone else would've done the same thing. And multiple people were. Bartman was certianly NOT the only person in that section reaching for the ball.

Overall, it was a fascinating documentary and I'll have to see about getting the DVD.

[trumad]

1. Honestly

I think any stadium in the nation would have acted the same way. It's human nature to act like douchebags.

[joeybee12]

2. That's what i recall...others going for the ball also...

It was ugly and a sad comment on our worship of sports in this country.

[Condem]

3. I missed it but no worries. Running it all week. The sked's at the right.

http://espn.go.com/espn/espnfilms/story/_/id/6961163/catching-hell

[Upton]

4. I watched it..

or at least most of it. The documentary was interesting for sure, but I thought it was way too sympathetic to Bartman. Most of the time seemed to be spent running down Cubs fans. The related story of the parking garage encounter I thought was ridiculous.

The two guys who claimed the batter should have been called out was revealing. For they stated Bartman definitely was reaching over the wall...a point I've seen argued. I know the Giants have a policy of kicking out anybody who reaches into the field of play and touches the ball. Something the Giants announcers reiterate over and over during telecasts. And when it does happen, Giants fans generally boo the offender as he's escorted out.

I also take issue with the constant claims that you, me, and everybody else would have done the same thing. Not in my opinion. A good baseball fan knows you never reach into the field of play and interfere with the fielder's effort to catch or retrieve the ball...particularly when it's your home team.

Yeah, some Cubs fans got carried away...but only verbally. And while it's true others were going after the ball too, Bartman, being a longtime Cubs fan and a youth baseball coach, should have known better.

I wish ESPN, whether it be their 30 for 30 documentaries or just sports news, would stick to the facts and stop trying to interject opinion..

[Iggo]

5. Yep.

Great show.

This was the first time I've heard anyone take responsibility for how they treated that poor guy.

Psycho pretty much summed up how I've felt about this thing all along.

And when that female security guard lost it during her interview, I about lost it, too.

It was good to see someone cared about this guy.

Great show.

[Capt. America]

6. As a former Cubs fan I can be objective about this...they would have lost to the Yankmees.

[charlie and algernon]

8. idk, if the cubs had FINALLY made it to the World Series

they would've had the support of every non-yankee baseball fan in the country. Wrigley Field would've been so electric you could've powered the City of Chicago.

[WilliamPitt]

7. It was great

Having Buckner in it was excellent.

[charlie and algernon]

9. yeah, it was as much a clearing of Buckner's name as it was for Bartman

[RagAss]

10. Best 30 for 30 since the one on SMU !

[KamaAina]

11. Of course you'd think it was great

you avvie is kind of a giveaway. :eyes:

[Condem]

12. Finally had the chance to catch this last night.

I said it the day after the game 8 years ago and I still feel the same about. Anybody who says they wouldn't of reacted to the foul ball the way Bartman did is full of fucking shit. Confirmed by Mr. Buckner. FOX did him no favors that night. Over the top media coverage.

[Awsi Dooger]

13. I thought it made everyone involved look like a moron other than Bartman

He should have told Cubs fans off beginning two minutes later and every day for the rest of his life.

That show was the ultimate indictment of baseball and its fans. Normalcy condemned. The woman two seats away provided the proper perspective, that the ball was drifting from over the seats toward the field due to the direction of the wind.

I'm thrilled I've never been to Wrigley Field.

[Condem]

14. I truly hope he is redeemed someday,,,,

...but I doubt it. Because the motherfuckng asshole Cubs fans will suffer another 100 years. And they should. The absolute worst.

[El Supremo]

15. Am I the only asshole on this board that thinks...

that Bartman or anybody should be shot for interfering with a catch by your own outfielder.

It should be printed on every fucking ticket.

[Condem]

16. I think you answered your own question, El.

But don't sell yourself short.