Steve Bartman: The Real Documentary

Can Steve Bartman ever forgive Chicago? ESPN announced that they will be having a documentary on Steve Bartman, a Cubs scapegoat. Here is the "real" documentary (really just an article I wrote where I had to incorporate quotes. It's not a true story, although it's based on certain things that were real):

When a girl leaves her home at 18, she does one of two things: stop at McDonalds for an egg McMuffin or go for a jog. Abigail Bartman decided to take a jog to the supermarket to run a few errands. Ah the long winter in Chicago- the lights, the crowd, the amusement! This was a great pleasing metropolis after all. Abby took the scene in as she jogged while listening to Carrie Underwood's hit “Before He Cheats,” thinking of ideas to do to her ex-boyfriend’s car. She walked into the frozen food aisle and saw a man incognito shopping for Ego Waffles. He looked familiar so Abby kept looking over at him. Several times, their eyes accidentally met, and then there poured into hers such a flood of feeling as she had never before experienced. She was completely shocked. She didn’t know what to think, but flashed backed to October 14, 2003, the last time she saw this man.

That was going to be the day, and everybody on the north side of Chicago knew it, including Abby, twelve at the time. She was ecstatic to attend the first game at Wrigley Field, home of her beloved Chicago Cubs. Sporting the Cubs tradition red and blue colors, she waited at the train station with her older cousin Steve. Despite their age difference of twelve years, Abby and Steve had a close relationship. Every Sunday, their grandfather invited his only two grandchildren over to watch the ballgame. Grandpop, a living baseball encyclopedia, recalled memories of the Cubs and told old baseball stories to them. Every visit was a history lesson, which Abby and Steve both cherished. Steve was impressed with Abby's knowledge and passion for the Cubs, so he chose her to attend the game with him after Grandpop denied due to his sore leg. Every game had become bigger and bigger, and Abby could not believe she and Steve would be in attendance to witness history, something Grandpop hadn't seen before. The Cubs were one win away from the World Series and reversing the curse of the billy goat. Confident in a victory, Abby already planned how she would celebrate the final out. She imagined the strikeout that would end the game while she screamed and jumped up and down. She replayed the scene in her head over and over as she found her seats with Steve on the left field foul line. The game began and Steve put his headphones on so he could listen to his favorite broadcasters while getting a glimpse at the action taking place. The game started and before they knew it, the Cubs jumped out in front and took the lead. The Cubs needed just five outs to become National League champions.

All of a sudden a ball was hit toward Abby and Steve’s way. A formal high school varsity star, Steve knew he could make the catch. On the other hand, Abby knew the ball was playable for the left fielder, Moises Alou, and she ducked out of the way like every other fan in the section. Alou wondered over, but Steve reached out for the ball. Fans yelled “No! Don’t get it!” but Steve headphones were too loud; he couldn’t hear a thing. Steve bobbled the ball, but Alou slammed his glove down and pointed to Steve. It was at that moment Steve knew he had done something wrong. “He could have caught that!” a fan yelled as Steve was escorted out of the stadium as trash was thrown at him. After the infamous Bartman incident, the Cubs lost the game, and lost the series the next day. Disappointed and embarrassed of her cousin, Abby pretended she wasn't related to Steve for the rest of the game. After interviews with the media, Steve waited for Abby in the parking lot. “You ruined my life!” Abby said to Steve. How true it is that words are but vague shadows of the volumes we mean. After that, they never saw each other again… until that one day at the supermarket.

“Steve?” Abby said to the disguised man. Deep down she was still angry of the events that took place six years ago especially now that the Cubs have gone one hundred years without a World Series championship. They talked for awhile, but she was still disgusted and couldn’t put the past behind her. The conversation turned to their grandfather, who Steve still visited but on different days as Abby. Steve, who seemed upset taking to Abby, said he had just came back from taking Grandpop to the hospital. His leg that bothered him six years ago became so weak that he couldn't walk. Abby was upset and started to cry. She knew Steve felt the same and knew what a tough time it would be for the both of them. From then on, her and Steve became close again as Abby realized family is much more important than a game.