That Cubs fan sitting in Seat 11, Row 9 (Chicago Tribune)

[IndianaGreen]

Pop-foul fan draws hostility —and sympathy
Escorted away for protection
By Chris Malcolm and Melissa Isaacson
Tribune staff reporters

October 14, 2003, 11:47 PM CDT

Last seen, the fan who tried to catch the ball was wearing a jacket on his head and being led into the underbelly of Wrigley Field for his own protection.

He may forever be referred to as "that fan" or any number of other names after he reached for a pop foul that Cubs left fielder Moises Alou was about to catch for the second out in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, with the Cubs leading 3-0 and five outs away from the World Series.

But the ball struck the fan's hand and bounced free, opening the door to an eight-run Marlins rally and an eventual Cubs loss.

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.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-031014cubsfan.story

[Braden]

1. "You could tell we're better than Boston or he'd be dead already."

actually in Boston the "fan" wouldn't have interfered with the play on the field.

In New York
See :

Ed Hillel and Mysterio
and the loveable Jeffrey Meier

[CPschem]

2. Cubs fans are idots..

if they're blaming that one guy for their loss last night. First of all, it wasn't interference- period. The ball was in the stands and about 5 other fans were going for it too- that guy just happened to be the closest. Maybe Cubs fans should put the blame on their team for compltely falling apart in the eigth inning. The error by the shortstop and hit after hit given up by the pitching staff were the real reasons they lost. Or we could just give credit to the Marlins for clutch hitting. Either way that one fan was not to blame... and shame on those Cubs players and fans who suggested he was.

[Plaid Adder]

3. Oh, this is all just scapeGOATing

Baaa! Baaaaaa!!

It is my belief that what really cost the game was the non-double-play by Gonzales. Now, whether that fan caused some kind of massive mojo interference by doing that, who knows, but 1) there were half a dozen people reaching for that ball, he just happens to have been closest to it and 2) in the nightmare that followed, the Cubs lost that game themselves fair and square.

But they will win tonight!

Go Cubs,

The Plaid Adder

[Cheviot]

4. Boston, Chi, NY, SF, Det, and Philly are the WORST. Stl, KC Tex are best

Seems like fans in the hardworking heartland areas are the most polite. I have noticed this for years. People in the Northeast are generally rudest

[flamingyouth]

7. Welcome to DU, Cheviot!

:-)

[IndianaGreen]

8. CNN is now reporting that the fan is a Little League coach

He should have known better. Isn't this fun?

[HuckleB]

5. Enough already.

It happened. It's over. If it hadn't happened, there might have been two outs, and things might have turned out very differently. We'll never know. Further, this could have happened in Fenway. It has happened in Fenway when I've been there, so let's not go down this road of bashing one another's fans and cities. And, yes, the Cubs lost it themselves afterward. Gonzales' error and Dusty's failure to bring in his best relief earlier are painfully obvious.

Today is game seven. The Cubs are focused on that. Why don't we join them?

[pnb]

6. There could only be one logical response to those who blame this guy...

...fucking wahhhh...

Would you all like some cheese with your whine?

[IndianaGreen]

11. Actually, if the Cubs lose tonight, it makes it easier for me

I was rooting for the Cubs in solidarity with their long-suffering fans, one of which happens to be a very good friend of mine. If the Cubs lose tonight, it makes it easier for me to root for the Yankees.

I am really a long-time Mets fan, but when the Mets are sitting at home watching the Series (which is far too often), I root for the guys from the Bronx.

[XNASA]

9. I'll wager it was "that fan's" first game at Wrigley.

I'd be interested in looking at videotape to see if "that fan" was ever at a game before.

Good seats + NLCS at Wrigley = Investment banker or Attorney.

I'll bet he bought his hat when he got to the ballpark that day.

[BigMcLargehuge]

10. dupe thread so I am locking it

please repost the link in the following forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=286760&mesg_id=286760

thanks,

Big McLargehuge
DU Moderator