Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #43 Steve Bartman

Aug 4, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Former Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon (left) catcher Ivan Rodriguez andt and left fielder Juan Pierre (right) watch highlights during the tenth anniversary celebration of the 2003 World Series Championship before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. Moment 43 is probably the most asked about moment I have received from the fans, so without any further ado here it is: Steve Bartman.

On October 14, 2003 the Marlins went to Wrigley Field down 3 games to 2 against the Cubs. The Cubs had the Marlins’ backs against the wall; if the Fish didn’t win, there was no tomorrow. It was win or go home (ok, that is it with the sports clichés). The way the game started it looked like the Marlins were going home and the Cubs would be going to the World Series. Going into the 8^th the Cubs were up 3-0 and 6 out away from their first World Series since 1945. Mike Mordecai started the inning with a flyball to left field. The Cubs are now 5 out away. Up come Luis Castillo and this is when everything changed.

Luis came up to the plate and had a 3-2 count when he hit a fly ball into the left field foul territory. Moises Alou ran to the foul wall, jumped to catch the ball, and in comes Steve Bartman and about a dozen other Cubs fans reaching for the ball. Steve touched the ball and it has been argued that Moises could have made the catch. Boy was Moises was mad, but the damage was already done. Steve and the dozen other fans gave the Marlins another life. Instead of being 4 outs away from the World Series the Marlins went on an 8 run tear that inning, going on to win the game (spoiler alert there is another moment from the 8^th inning that will be on this list).

Do I believe that Bartman won us the game? No. People seem to forget the other Alex Gonzalez error, or that the Cubs were winning game 7 as well. Bartman and the dozen other fans made it difficult for Alou to make that catch, but who knows what would have happened even if he did make that catch. The Marlins could have still scored 3 or more runs with 2 outs. The Marlins played spoiler to the Cubs and Steve Bartman will always be a part of that. Speaking of spoilers, come back tomorrow and check out another Marlins spoiler.