Wednesday, October 15, 2003

While I feel for the Cubs, one can see that it's no mere coincidence that they've failed to win a World Series for the last 90-some years. A fan reaches out and interferes with a potential out, a shortstop drops a routine double-play grounder--this is how you span generations without a championship.

Is it possible to feel worse for that poor schlub in the stands whose life is now ruined (at least if the Cubs lose again tonight)? He had to leave the game under a security detail last night. According to the Chicago Tribune:
Within moments, the fans down the left-field line began booing and chanting, "Get him out." The object of their scorn still sat in his front-row seat, wearing headphones and a Cubs cap, as the Marlins began to pile up runs.

"It cost us the game, pal," shouted one fan. Another fan tossed a beer cup toward the man's seat, but it fell short.

Three security guards ejected one fan after throwing beer. "I hope you're happy," the man screamed. "You cost us a [expletive] World Series."

Another fan yelled, "You could tell we're better than Boston or he'd be dead already."

Within a few minutes, Cubs security closed access to the lower levels of the stands and kept reporters out of the area. Moments later, another fan who said his name was Jim Cuthbert was escorted shouting from the area. Cuthbert said ushers took him out of the park because had gone to confront the fan who had touched the ball and refused to return to his seat.

"I said, 'What the hell is wrong with you?'" said Cuthbert, who added he caught the man's eye and challenged him to come outside. Cuthbert said the man wouldn't answer.
Do you realize that if the Cubs lose the pennant tonight, this guy is going to have to move out of town?

So how come nobody wants to attack the millionaire shortstop who gets payed to play and who dropped the inning-ending double-play ball? Is it possible that he bears just a tad more of the blame than the guy who tried to catch a foul ball that almost landed in his lap?

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