Winkeler: Bartman ring: Victory for freedom – The Southern

There are historic dates in American history that should never be forgotten because in one way or another, shackles of human bondage have physically, or metaphorically, been broken.

While reading online comments about improvements in an local community I was stopped cold by

On July 4, 1776, a group of defiant, courageous colonists cut the umbilical cord to Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence. They cited rights of self-governance and freedom on which our country has thrived and prospered.

On Oct. 28, 1886, the United States received the Statue of Liberty from the people of France. The statue symbolizes that America and its ideals are the standard bearer for freedom for the entire world. By accepting this gift from France, the people of the United States accepted the burden of freedom.

On Dec. 7, 1941, the day that lives in infamy, the United States was drawn into World War II by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As the result of that act, American and its allies rid the world of Nazism and squelched imperialism.

On Nov. 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs broke a 108-year drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game 7 of the World Series. In doing so, the Cubs freed Steve Bartman of carrying more than a century of a citys broken dreams and disappointments.

A brief history lesson Steve Bartman was seated along the left field line at Chicagos Wrigley Field on Oct. 14, 2003. The Cubs were leading the Florida Marlins 3-0 in the eighth inning of Game Six of the NLCS when Luis Castillo lifted a fly ball down the left field line.

First, a disclaimer: I am not, have never been, have never claimed to be and never will be g

Cubs outfielder Moises Alou leaped for the ball near where Bartman was seated. Bartman clearly deflected the ball, keeping the at bat alive. If Alou had caught the ball, it would have been the second out of the inning.

Instead, Florida rallied for eight runs in the inning. The Cubs also lost Game 7, making Bartman the biggest scapegoat in Chicago history since, well, William Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, was asked to leave Wrigley Field during Game 4 of the 1945 World Series, ostensibly because he smelled like his goat, Murphy.

Upon leaving the park, Mr. Sianis allegedly said, Them Cubs, they aint gonna win no more.

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Sianis, Murphy and Bartman were all cleansed of their sins on Nov. 2, 2016 when the Cubs finally won the World Series. The Cubs, in a magnanimous act last week, made that absolution official by presenting Bartman with a World Series ring.

Presenting the ring doesnt compare with the Declaration of Independence or making the world safe for democracy, but hopefully it will free Bartman from the irrational ire of baseball fans. (The World Series win turned Cubs fans from Lovable Losers to obnoxious homers like the rest of us.)

Since the incident Bartman has become essentially a prisoner of his own infamy. Hopefully, Cubs fans will revel in their 2016 World Series victory and accept Bartman for what he is a baseball fan that got caught up in the moment and reached for a playoff game souvenir.

LES WINKELER is the sports editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les.winkeler@thesouthern.com, or call 618-351-5088 / On Twitter @LesWinkeler.

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Winkeler: Bartman ring: Victory for freedom - The Southern