Bad Day for CUBS fans

One of the first shots of the fan after the incident showed that security had huffed it down to where the guy sat. Good thing. I can only imagine how many people now wish to cause that man serious harm. It won't blow over unless the Cubbies win game 7. Even then, they'll have to do well in at least the first game of the WS, or they may blame having to play an extra game and tiring out the team on that guy.

The cover page of the Chicago Tribune has a picture of the scene... It almost begs out, "Do you recognize this man?"

The whole thing was bad luck, and even then - on the edge.

Was it fan interference? Only if the ball was not in the stands. In the many replays, you could see that the position of the ball at the point of impact was immediately over the railing. Of course, it was aimed for the stands, and ultimately struck the concrete wall just inside the rail. It was clear that, had the fan's hand not been in the way, the ball would have landed well enough within the glove.

Would it have stayed there, given that the railing could have popped the ball out when the glove hit it?

I don't think many people would NOT hav etried for the ball. One fan was pretty much squeezed out right there [also in the front page picture] and was actually retracting from the mobish rush, but the fan who touched the ball wasn't the only one trying... People seated a couple of rows away had also moved to try to get into position for it...

Where should blame lie? In the rules themselves? Squarely on the architect [for putting the fans too close to play]? With Alou for not jumping enough? With Dusty, for not replacing Prior soon enough [and giving the subsequent pitchers enough warmup]?

Maybe it was the one fan. No, not the one who touched the ball! The one who actually watched the game!! [note for non fans and/or non Chciagoans: there is great superstition with baseball, and many loyal fans will not actually 'watch' the game for fear that will affect the outcome.]

Yes the Cubbies CAN overcome the curse! (I hope)
No I would not have tried to catch it.

From what I've seen of pictures and replays, the fan definitely interfered with the player's attempt to get the out. I mean, it's an out if they catch it, even if it's "in the stands" when they catch it? I think the ump's call could have gone the other way, though it was a close and tough call. Go CUBS!

First off, I live in Chicago. Been here since 1999. I really didn't proclaim an allegiance to either the Cubs or the White Sox until last year, when I decided to pick the Sox.
So, seeing the Cubs get this far is bittersweet. I am not anti-Cubs, and I have been watching their playoff games.
So last night, I was at work, but I had the game up on the one system we have with a TV tuner card.

I watched as the Cubs went into the 8th inning with their 3-0 lead.

Then the Marlins had a man on 2nd, but I thought that Mark Pryor was still the MAN. Yes, he was at the 110+ pitch count by this time, but he is strong. He can fix this.

Then the fan did NOT (apparently!) commit the "fan interfearance". I watched on the monitor Moises Alou jump up, reach out with his glove, and be just inches from catching that foul ball. It would have been 2 outs, with Pudge coming up next (if I remember the details correctly).
And that fan! That FAN! What was he doing???? What was wrong with him, with his headphones on and looking like Jarod from the Subway commercials!

Come on! Move back, get out of the way, and let the player make the play! Everyone knows that!

Do I think the guy should be banned from Wrigley for life, as I heard it suggested on the Chicago talk radio stations ESPN1000AM and 670 The Score AM? No, that is ridiculous.
Was it wise for security to "escort" the fan out of the ballpark? Definately yes.

Then today, was it right that the Tribune published the fan's name? No, definately not.

Should this fan be in a Southwest commercial, the "just want to get away" commercials? Yep. It would be pretty funny.

Will the Cubs come back tonight, with Wood pitching? I think so. It is all up to Dusty Baker. He is the reason the Cubs are even here at this point. He has managed to get the club this far.

It all depends on if Dusty can rally the team today. Kerry Wood will be fine.

If the team does win, then Dusty should definately be manager of the year.

Anyway, I will be watching on the monitor tonight.

I don't follow sports.

I did see a replay of the incident on CNN at work, and we discussed it at length.

Look closely at the fan. He was fully focused on catching a foul ball that was coming his way.

I don't think he even saw the fielder until after he fumbled the ball.

Any baseball fan wants to be the one to catch a foul or home run ball.

This fan got caught up in the moment and reached out when he should not have.

Now, what would the reaction be if the ball had gone into the stands and no one tried to catch it, and someone got beaned by it?

The poor guy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Chas

Game is tied 3-3 with a 3-run home run by the pitcher, Kerry Wood!

Have faith.

Look - this poor guy that did what every fan in the world would do for a Foul ball (even the player said the fan didn't do anything wrong) now has to quit his job and move to another state. (If I were him I would move to Florida! and be a Hero!)

Hey Any of you Crazy CUB's fan's that think this poor guy caused you to lose - GET A LIFE - HELLO - Oh that's right they don't have enough brains to use a computer... OH yea and the Media that released his name - his address and where he works should be suited if he is physically harmed in any way... Yea Liberal Media - Thats the way to do it - why not show his wife, kids, parents and other relatives...

Some Crazy Nut Cubs fans think he Jinked the Cub'bies to lose the series, this guy had nothing to do with losing, how about the CUBS sucked with pitching - hitting - play what was the score of the last Game - NINE to SIX?

The American sports fan is getting like Football fans in Europe - what are those groups called "Hoolgans" or something like that... Its a Freaking Sports Game - It doesn't mean anything to the City - State - Country.... Even the Freaking World Cups ... Mean Nothing its a Freaking SPORT.... GET A LIFE.

If I were him and his family - MOVE to Florida and be the Hero! The one that JINX'ed the Cubbie's - Yea....

If the Chitown fans are that freaking stupid - that freaking 1500's - that they believe this guy Jinx'ed them and want to kill him - then there is no hope for that city - They all need a good dose of REALITY - and move into the 21's century... Ahh So happy - I don't live in Chitown - must be something in the water - that makes them stupid..

If he invented time travel to go back and save himself, wouldnt that destroy his motivation to build such a machine?

Witless Protection... hilarious!

Fact is that the cubs had more than one chance to recover from the incidient. They should be professionals and accept the blame themselves.

I'm not a fan of Chicago or Florida... so I'd like to think my opinion is impartial and outside the general scope. Correct me if I'm wrong...

If this were a normal mid-season game, nothing at stake, would it make a difference if the ball were caught by a fan? Probably not. It happens quite a bit during the season and no one pays much attention. It's considered a fair run and someone gets to go home with a good old fashioned "I was robbed!" horror story to tell their grandkids.

Sure, this is a bit different, it's a major game and this wasn't a ball hit fifteen rows up into the second section, but still, the same concept applies.

I think this was more gut-wrenching because we have a natural desire to root for the underdog and like them or not, Chicago really needs a break.

I don't think anything should happen to him. I'm sure the Cubs fans will take care of him. =) Oust him from his grocery store and local sports bar and grill.

Now, could someone please explain to me why a 72 year old coach found any length of common sense in taking on a cocky, young pitcher and was then SHOCKED when he ended up on the ground, bleeding?

Or, why the grounds keeper rooting for the Cubbies in the NY bull pen was shocked when he got sucker punched for rooting for the "wrong" team?

I realize common sense isn't common, but something should have been really obvious there.