Steve Bartman ring
Steve Bartman showed how to make lemonade out of the most bitter lemons anyone could ever imagine. Bartman received a 2016 World Series ring from the Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts. Yeah, he really received an authentic personalized WS ring, that is not a typo.
Bartman became a household villain name in the Windy City in 2003 when he leaned in to catch a foul ball and interfered with a Cubs player, giving the Marlins an extra out in the 8th inning of the crucial NL Championship Game 6.
The Marlins took advantage and lit it up, scoring eight runs to win the game and went on to win the series and eliminate the Cubs.
Ricketts presented a personalized ring to Bartman, pictured here, and the Cubs issued a statement that included:
“On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series championship ring to Mr. Steve Bartman. 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.”
Bartman, who has never spoken publicly since that 2003 gaffe released a statement that included:
“I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. 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.”
It is, Mr. Bartman. Thanks to a dramatic comeback win in Game 7 World Series last year, with a little help from a rain delay.