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Theo Epstein Wants To Offer Steve Bartman Salvation

Yesterday, Theo Epstein was introduced as the new general manager of the Chicago Cubs. To many Cubs fans, Theo offers salvation: the young, good-looking baseball executive that will rid the roster of bloated contracts (Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano), build a team that will compete in October consistently, and win the club their first World Series in over a hundred years. He will save Cubs fans.

All of them, apparently. Yesterday, during an appearance on PTI, Epstein expressed his desire to bring exiled fan Steve Bartman back to Wrigley Field. Bartman, as you may recall, is the most reviled Cubs fan in history — he interfered with a foul ball during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, and many blamed him (unfairly) for the team’s subsequent collapse.

Epstein told PTI hosts Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser that, “I’m all about having an open mind, an open heart and forgiveness,” and that such qualities were important for a successful organization, as well. But this quote sums it up rather nicely, and has been true ever since that night in 2003 when Bartman was ushered out of Wrigley while being showered in beer and death threats.

“He’s a Cubs fan,” said Epstein. “That’s the most important thing.”

Here’s video from Epstein’s PTI appearance. The Bartman question is asked at the 4:45 mark.

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