Article:Bartman: Thanks but no thanks!

A few days ago, I mentioned that Steve Bartman was offered $25,000 to appear at an autograph show in the Chicago area.

According to the Chicago Tribune and ESPN, Bartman made his decision today.

No thank you. The man who was blamed for ruining the Cubs chances of going to the World Series for the first time since the Truman adminstration and a chance to win the Fall Classic for the first time since Teddy Roosevelt occupied the Oval Office said no to the money and aggravation of some Cubs fans that may want to do him harm.

If it were me, I would have said yes. After all, in this economy, money talks. $25,000 will buy a lot of gas and groceries. It would also have given me a chance to tell my side of the story. He's turned down several book deals and interviews as well as a possible movie deal.

A Chicago Tribune poll says that 59 percent of people that voted say they would have signed if they could be in their shoes.

There may have been some fans that would have loved to hear why he did what he did. It's a natural reaction to go after a foul ball in any ballpark, especially the Friendly Confines on the corner of Sheffield and Waveland. I would have gone there and interviewed him for Gather.

So Bartman says no. $25,000 sits on the table. Baseball fans in Chicago and the world are wondering what his next move will be and guessing what would have happened if he hadn't done it and wishing he hadn't.

There's still some bad blood flowing in the Windy City. Maybe he'll do it in, as my 4th grade teacher would say, "in a time and place of my own choosing,' which was her way of saying, "When I'm good and ready."

Let's hope it's not a century before he does.

EMAUS CATULI!