Posted on 10/14/2003 11:11:31 PM PDT by kattracks
CHICAGO (AP) — Add a meddling fan and a rare error by a sure-handed shortstop to the Chicago Cubs' long history of misery and dashed hopes.The Cubs were five outs from their first World Series in 58 years Tuesday night when one of their own fans got in the way.
It started a series of ugly plays that resulted in Florida's eight-run inning and an 8-3 victory for the Marlins in Game 6 of the NL championship series.
"It has nothing to do with a curse," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "It has to do with fan interference and a very uncharacteristic error. ... History has nothing to do with this game, nothing."
But you can't help but wonder. After taking a 3-1 lead in the series, the Cubs have dropped two straight and now face a decisive Game 7 on Wednesday night.
"It makes you think a little bit," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "You guys keep talking, I think it might happen."
Especially after the wacky turn of events Tuesday. Mark Prior held the Marlins to three hits over the first seven innings and seemed to be getting stronger as the night went on.
But after Juan Pierre doubled with one out in the eighth, the fates turned.
Luis Castillo hit what appeared to be a very playable foul fly down the left-field line, and Moises Alou was in position to make the catch.
"He said he had it perfectly timed," Baker said.
Alou jumped and reached into the stands, but just before the ball dropped into his glove, a 26-year-old male fan wearing a Cubs hat and headphones deflected the ball away as Alou tried to make the catch.
Alou screamed, as did thousands of Cubs fans. Despite vigorous protests for interference, umpires correctly ruled it was simply a foul ball.
"The ball was in the stands," McKeon said. "Whether Alou could have caught it or not is questionable, but the ball was in the stands. And when the ball is in the stands, the fans have a right to catch it."
Castillo went back to the plate. One pitch later, he drew a walk.
Other fans tossed beer at the fan and shouted profanities and threats at him. A handful of security guards quickly escorted him from his seat, his face covered with a sweater as he walked to a security room.
Some fans were yelling, "Kill him!" and "You cost us the World Series!" as he was being led away.
"He possibly cost us the pennant, and I want to know if it was worth a $20 ball? What a loser," said Sean Henning, who was sitting about five rows back.
And it would get worse for the Cubs. Ivan Rodriguez followed with an RBI single, cutting Chicago's lead to 3-1.
Miguel Cabrera then hit a two-hopper to shortstop that could have turned into an inning-ending double play — and should have meant at least one out for the Cubs. Alex Gonzalez is normally one of Chicago's best defensive players (he made only 10 errors during the regular season), but he dropped this one.
He tried to backhand the ball, only to have it ricochet off his glove and back down into the dirt for an error. He grabbed at the ball but had no play, loading the bases with only one out.
"For whatever reason, I didn't catch the ball," Gonzalez said. "It seemed like the spin on the ball ate me up. I didn't think it would get to me that fast."
Derrek Lee tied it with a two-run double, Jeff Conine hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and little Mike Mordecai hammered a three-run double off the ivy in left-center.
Suddenly it was 7-3, and Cubs fans were left heartbroken again.
"This isn't over by a long ways," Baker said. "We've got Kerry Wood going tomorrow and we're still at home. As far as I'm concerned, we're still in very, very good shape."
As for that fan, Cubs security chief Mike Hill refused to give out any details about him. But Hill did say the team gave him a new coat and led him out a different exit after the game so no one could recognize him.
"He was scared to death more than anything," Hill said. "He just wanted to get out of here."
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Kind of like Ted Kennedy being branded a killer, just cause he drove off a bridge on a dark and stormy night.
Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around?
When the snow melts away
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground?
When I was a boy, they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
And the land of the free
As the doormats of the National League.
I don't think that's what got Kennedy branded a killer. The fact that he left the girl in the car to save his own skin, when he might have been able to save her, is what got him branded.
Rightfully so, IMO.
But his name isn't Billy Buck and he can be forgiven but billy buck can't, not even in chicago.
Of course, she didn't receive it became of ted the boy swimmer, but he was forgiven, by mass but Bill buckner will never be forgiven for letting that ground ball go between his legs.
Just a comment on what people consider important.
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