It’s been 12 years since Steve Bartman cemented his place in Chicago Cubs lore, but one group of fans is extending an olive branch to the infamous fan.
On the website GoFundMe, there is a page dedicated to raising money to send Bartman to the Cubs’ wild card game next week. That game could potentially be in Pittsburgh or back at Wrigley Field, but according to the fundraiser’s description, it’s about more than just having Bartman attend a game:
“Lifelone Cubs fan wants to make amends for 2003, let’s make it happen. First we need to find him to get him to the big game. If anyone knows where he is at, tell him we are looking for him. The money would pay for his expenses including his ticket, hotel room, flights and a little spending money.
If he cannot be found by the time of the big game all the proceeds raised will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Bartman has not made any public comments or conducted any interviews since he entered Cubs lore in 2003. During Game 6 of the NLCS against the Florida Marlins, Bartman tried catching a ball that Cubs outfielder Moises Alou was trying to catch.
Bartman quickly became a scapegoat for fans after the Cubs blew a 3-0 lead in the game and ultimately fell short of a World Series berth, and he has since avoided the spotlight entirely.
