Chicago Cubs: When Will Fans Forgive Steve Bartman?

Let's get one thing straight right here and now:

Steve Bartman, the guy who interfered with an apparently crucial foul ball in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, is not a scapegoat. Or, at least he shouldn't be.

This is a point I've already visited in a short column that was published this morning, in which I argued that Bartman should not be in the same conversation as Bill Buckner. There is some legitimacy to Buckner's label as a goat. There is no legitimacy whatsoever to Bartman's label.

Nevertheless, I fear that Chicago Cubs fans aren't about to get off Bartman's case any time soon. The new ESPN Films documentary, "Catching Hell," might convince some to stop blaming Bartman for the Cubbies' collapse in the 2003 NLCS, but I suspect the majority of Bartman haters will keep carrying the torch.

As such, I guess I have no choice but to ask a question that has probably been asked in hundreds of bars in and around the North Side of Chicago:

When, if ever, will Bartman be forgiven?

If I had to guess, it will happen sooner or later. The tricky part is the whole "sooner or later" thing.

The reason for this should be obvious. When the Cubs finally win a World Series, thus ending their epic championship-less drought, that's when Bartman will be forgiven. Just like with Buckner after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, there will simply be no reason to harbor a grudge against Bartman any more.

Sadly, the Cubs don't appear ready to win a championship at any point in the near future. As is usually the case, the club is a mess. The payroll is bloated, and there is a relative shortage of talent in the minor leagues. This is what happens when you do stupid things like sign Alfonso Soriano to a huge contract and trade a handful of prospects for a pitcher like Matt Garza.

If there is hope for the Cubs, it's that the club is going to be on the prowl for a new general manager during the offseason. Maybe they'll go after Billy Beane. Or maybe it will be Brian Cashman. Or, if they have any brains, it will be Tampa Bay's Andrew Friedman.

Regardless of who it is, the Cubs need to bring in a good baseball man who can field a good baseball team. The organization's problems are all on the field.

And that's just the thing. The Cubs' problems have always been on the field. Their championship drought is a baseball problem, not a fan problem.

So when this whole thing is finally over, Cubs' fans need to do more than forgive Bartman. They need to apologize to him.