I thought the Bartman doc was going to be part of 30 for 30

[Bruhman]

I thoroughly enjoyed the doc. Didn't know there'd be so much Bosox/Buckner stuff, but I thought it worked with the theme, especially the ID'ing of ONE scapegoat when there are other contributors (Bob Stanely, Gonzalez).

I thought Bartman's friends stayed with him till they were all escorted to the concourse, where the guards took Bartman off because the scene was hairy. Then, when they went back to look for his friends, they were gone, which is understandable.

Bartman's appearance definitely played a role in the abuse he took, and continuing to sit there (while EVERYONE around him is standing), acting as if nothing happened or he doesn't know what happened, didnt help. I also think breaking his silence would've weakened the passion and venom against him.

The pastor's explanation of scapegoating tied everything together nicely.

 

[Bubbler]

Yes. Before all this happened, Bartman WANTED to be on TV. He's not a recluse by nature. After seeing that, I'm realizing he's not the guy we have collectively made him out to be in our minds. I do think Gibney should have played it up more.

I disagree and I thought that was a sort of cheap shot on Gibney's part.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... it's Gibney's job to document what happened, right? Not leave stuff on the cutting room floor because it doesn't fit a script. Or our script of who we think Steve Bartman is. I do think Gibney half-assed that find because he wanted his film to be sympathetic toward Bartman.

But how is showing that video "taking a shot" at him? Yes, he wanted to be on TV. What's wrong with that?! (Said the girl who wanted to be on TV for a living.) Seriously... I thought it was a little nugget... a little character reveal about a mysterious person. To me it said: Don't think you know what kind of a guy Bartman is. You don't really know him.

How does that shot fit into what happened? Whether Bartman had been sitting there with a rainbow wig and a John 3:16 sign throughout the game or whether he would've been Rick Stain planning not to catch a foul ball, it doesn't make a difference.

The foul ball was hit to him. He reached for it. His demeanor before it happened is immaterial to the story. His demeanor afterwards, on the other hand, is everything to the story.

Maybe "cheap shot" was too strong a description, but I did think it was superfluous.

 

[Bubbler]

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Fugitive, and when I think of Bartman, I always think of Harrison Ford marching in the St. Paddy's Day Parade in the middle of downtown Chicago.

It would be awesome if Bartman has spent the ensuing years at various Chicago events trying not to be seen.

(Obligatory Monty Python drop ...)

Instead of The Fugitive, maybe he lives a Ferris Bueller-type life.

 

[Bob Cook]

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Fugitive, and when I think of Bartman, I always think of Harrison Ford marching in the St. Paddy's Day Parade in the middle of downtown Chicago.

It would be awesome if Bartman has spent the ensuing years at various Chicago events trying not to be seen.

(Obligatory Monty Python drop ...)

Awesome.

Everyone who deals with Bartman must be incredibly respectful of his privacy, from store clerks to business contacts to prospective dates. You would think somebody would have spilled by now.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I would have tried to catch it, too, because in that situation you are pretty much watching the ball as it comes toward you, not the action on the field or where you are. (It's macabre to bring up, but think about the Texas Rangers dad who fell to his death reaching for a ball.) It's almost the opposite of that Bears punt return the other day, where the Bears took advantage of knowing that the defenders would not be looking at the ball.

 

[service_gamer]

Yes. Before all this happened, Bartman WANTED to be on TV. He's not a recluse by nature. After seeing that, I'm realizing he's not the guy we have collectively made him out to be in our minds. I do think Gibney should have played it up more.

I disagree and I thought that was a sort of cheap shot on Gibney's part.

So he wanted to be on TV? Big deal. People are waving at the camera all the time. It's not how I act as a fan, but many do.

It's apropos of nothing as far as the foul ball is concerned. The foul ball found him, along with infamy and double-digit Fox cameras.

I see what you're saying, because I actually had a similar thought while watching the doc. But in retrospect, I don't think it's a cheap shot at all. In fact, I think it makes Bartman an even more sympathetic character. Waving at the cameras doesn't make him some sort of fame wart, but it humanizes him in the sense that he's not some weird, stoic loner. If anything, I think it makes the entire situation more tragic as his attempts at getting noticed strongly contrast with the isolated life he feels he must now lead.

 

[poindexter]

Do people really have team jerseys with each starter's name on the back? The guy had a Prior and a Wood.

 

[cjericho]

Do people really have team jerseys with each starter's name on the back? The guy had a Prior and a Wood.

not sure about every starter. don't think too many people had mitre and dempster or even zambrano. both of those guys had huge, huge upsides. after sosa, i would think prior and wood were the most popular cubs from late 90s early 00s.

 

[hondo]

I thought it was very well done. Sure, they could have scored a huge coup by getting Bartman to talk, but the female security guard's story was great, too.

She even got a little teary about him at the end. She was kinda cute (a little chunky but cute). Wonder if Bartman ever thought about getting her number when he was in her apartment waiting for the coast to clear?

 

[Johnny Chase]

As a White Sox fan, watching that film brought back good memories. At the same time, I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy at the time, and it's the same way now. Any smart person knows that you can't blame everything on him.

If I was in that situation, I definitely would have reached out for the ball. No doubt.

 

[Cousin Jeffrey]

All in all, I loved the doc. I don't think anyone really blames him, but his status has only grown as being "part of the Cubs story" as Kerry Wood recently said. His unique name is better known than 3/4 of Cubs team. Which wasn't explored. If his name's Steve Johnson, he'd be known as "the fan."

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

While I didn't watch the documentary so can't comment on if it was actually any good or insightful, I'm finding it harder and harder to pay any attention to Bartman sans Bartman info. It's becoming like the numbers on Lost. Batman must finally tell his side of the story, but when he does it will probably be a major disappointment and add nothing to the story.