It is rare in any sport to single out one particular moment in a game and say, “that was the sole reason we lost.”
Last week, ESPN released another 30 for 30 documentary films they produce for documentary filmmakers. The latest film, “Catching Hell,” follows the story of the most infamous fan for loyal Chicago Cubs fans, Steve Bartman.
For those who may not remember, Bartman was the fan who in the sixth inning in game six of the 2003 National League Championship Series reached out and attempted to catch a foul ball that Cubs left fielder Moises Alou could have caught for a second out. Many Cubs fans blamed Bartman for the Cubs fallout as they gave up eight runs in the eighth inning to lose the game and go on to lose game six.
Director of “Catching Hell” Alex Gibney’s message could not have been clearer throughout this film. It is a message that every fan, and for that matter every player, of any sport needs to take to heart: most things are not won or lost in a single moment.
The fact is, it wasn’t Bartman’s fault the Cubs lost. It was a slew of problems the team had. I remember watching that game with my dad. While I wasn’t, nor am I today, a huge Cubs fan, I thought history was going to be made that night. I wanted to see it. When Bartman reached for the ball and Alou’s followed with his temper-tantrum, I didn’t think anything of it. Yet, because of fans and everyone looking for something to blame but the Cubs, Bartman became a villain.
Sure, people can blame this guy they don’t even know, but let’s not say anything about shortstop Alex Gonzalez who couldn’t field a ground ball for a routine double play to end the eighth inning, or how the hitting onslaught the Marlins had going didn’t play a factor at all. That is just unfair and ridiculous.
People have tried validating the Bartman situation by saying he stopped the Cubs momentum but I don’t buy that either. Even if Alou had made the catch, it still wouldn’t have made any difference.
The great thing Gibney did with this film was he didn’t just focus on Bartman. He showed how this has permeated for generations by showing another unjust judgment on a player. First baseman Bill Buckner was quite possibly the most hated man in Boston, in 1986. Buckner missed a ground ball that went through his legs on what should have been an unassisted out to win the World Series in game six for the Red Sox against the New York Mets. Buckner was the fans’, and the media’s, scapegoat. No one ever remembers the costly pitching error of Bob Stanley who threw a wild pitch that tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the tenth inning. It wasn’t only Stanley though. Several instances the Sox had chances to strike batters out who were down 0-2 in the count but they couldn’t. That game was not Buckner’s fault and Gibney made sure to tell the world that.
Whether it is sports or life in general, you cannot look at one instance, one moment in time and say that changed everything. It could be a turning point, but it is the events leading up to or preceding that point that matter most. Maybe the Cubs’ luck would have been different if Bartman hadn’t reached for the ball, or what if someone else had made the grab for it? That person may have been scrutinized like Bartman and their life would have been forever changed. Let be what will be. Looking back and saying someone ruined your chances is sophomoric. Put the blame where it belongs and you’ll be better because of it.