Cubs fan shields fans away from routine pop-up, will not be next Steve Bartman
Oct 22, 2016, 8:20 PM | Updated: 8:28 pm
This Chicago Cubs fan was taking absolutely zero chances when a pop fly came near his seat Saturday night.
Not this time … #NLCS pres. by @TMobile pic.twitter.com/yg8c6UTIVI
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 23, 2016
At first glance and at that angle, Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Javier Baez are close to the stands and the fan is making sure they have the space required to record the out.
The video shows, however, that the distance between Rizzo, Baez and the fans on the right field line was laughable, with Baez catching the ball right on the foul line. It’s also worth noting he has the tarp in front of him.
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD2_/status/790003941249576960
The fan, of course, must have been thinking about Steve Bartman all night, who infamously attempted to catch a ball down the left field line in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS between the Cubs and Florida Marlins. Bartman blocked a potential catch by outfielder Moises Alou and the Marlins went on to win the game and the series, keeping the Cubs’ World Series drought alive.
That ended Saturday night. The Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in Game 6 of this year’s NLCS to move on and face the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.