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The Cubs won the World Series for the first time since 1908.

bump...

Congrats to both teams. Looking forward to this series. Question, if the Cubs win, and they last won a World Series title in 1908, can Steve Bartman be welcomed back to Chicago?

Quote:The Cubs are apparently looking for closure with Steve Bartman. Tom Ricketts said the team plans to reach out to him in 2017.

Bartman is the infamous fan who reached out for a foul ball in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series. Many blamed him for extending the Cubs' curse.

Ricketts did not say when or how the team will contact Bartman.

"I'm sure we'll reach out to him at the right time," Ricketts told USA Today Sports. "And I'm sure we'll figure something out that provides closure for everybody. Hopefully, we can make it work."

"In Chicago you stand up there and say, 'I'm sorry, man.' And you look at him. And you say it," said John Kass, Chicago Tribune columnist.

Forgiveness Is Bliss

Bump.

Absolutely the right move by the Cubs organization. Hats off to them and may Mr. Bartman continue onward and upward.

Quote: This October will mark 14 years since Steve Bartman became a household name for his involvement in the 2003 National League Championship Series. Everyone knows his story by now, and there's no need to rehash it. There is, however, a need to realize that mistakes were made and a man's life was negatively altered over a foul ball.

Perhaps that's why the Chicago Cubs decided to give Bartman a World Series ring to celebrate their triumph last fall. Here's more information, courtesy of WGN:

"On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Mr. Steve Bartman," the Cubs told WGN in a statement. "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. 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."

Bartman has understandably avoided attention since that night. He did issue a statement through WGN, though -- his one and only at this time, per him -- in which he said, "My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain."

The #Cubs today presented Steve Bartman with a World Series ring pic.twitter.com/WFbxBdHyZw
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 31, 2017

Well said. Let's hope Bartman is proven correct.

Here is Bartman's full statement, released by the Cubs, breaking a long silence on occasion of this gesture:

Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations.

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.

I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today's society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.

Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.

Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving forward with my life.

Bartman Can Heal

I dunno. Cubs fans aren't the most reasonable in the world. If I'm Bartman, I'm accepting the ring via a private ceremony and not before or during the game. I don't want to take a crossbow to the chest from one of those Northside looneys.