John Brueck

[the Sports ON Tap @thesportsontap]

Steve Bartman became the most hated sports fan in America over a foul ball.

He never gave a single interview. Never sold a thing. Never made a dollar off it.

For 14 years he said nothing at all.

October 14, 2003. Game 6 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are up 3-0 in the eighth inning and five outs from their first World Series since 1945.

A foul ball drifts down the left field line toward the seats.

Steve Bartman, in glasses, headphones and a Cubs hat, does what every single person in that section does. He reaches for it.

He deflects it. Moises Alou leaps, misses, and slams his glove down in frustration.

Chicago then gives up eight runs in that inning. They lose the game 8-3. They lose Game 7. The drought rolls on.

And an entire city turned on one man.

Security had to escort him out of the ballpark that night as people threw things at him. His name and address got out. He needed police protection at his home. He was mocked on national television for years. There were people who genuinely believed he had cost a franchise a century of history.

Now the honest part that most retellings skip.

Right after that play, Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez booted a routine ground ball that should have been an inning ending double play. THAT is what actually broke the game open. Alou himself later downplayed the whole thing.

And the ball was in the stands. Bartman had every right to reach for it. Fans on either side of him were reaching too.

None of that mattered.

Here's what Bartman did with the rest of it.

Nothing.

He never appeared on a talk show. He never wrote a book. He turned down what were reportedly substantial offers to cash in on the most famous moment in modern Cubs history. He never went on camera to defend himself, never accepted money, never asked for sympathy.

He just went quiet and stayed quiet for 14 years.

Then in 2016 the Cubs won the World Series, ending 108 years.

And on July 31, 2017, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts brought Steve Bartman into his office at Wrigley Field and handed him a personalized 2016 World Series championship ring.

The team's statement said they hoped it gave him closure, that no gesture could fully lift what he'd carried for more than a decade, and that after all he had sacrificed they wanted him to know he was fully embraced by the organization.

And Bartman broke his silence. Once. In writing.

He said he didn't consider himself worthy of the honor. He said his family would cherish it for generations. He said the most meaningful part was simply being welcomed back.

Then he said the thing that turns this whole story around:

He accepted the ring not only as a symbol of a historic achievement, but as a reminder of how we should treat each other.

And he asked people to learn from what happened to him. To see sports as entertainment. To stop harsh scapegoating. And to stop exploiting individuals for someone else's gain.

Then he said he would not be doing interviews or making further public statements.

He hasn't. Not once since.

A guy reached for a foul ball at a baseball game, had his life turned upside down by strangers, and the only thing he ever asked for in return was that people be kinder to the next person.

For more stories like this, follow us on any platform @thesportsontap

[Hockey Patrol @HockeyPatrol]

Sidney Crosby was just trying to enjoy lunch during a vacation in the Bahamas when a 10-year-old Penguins fan spotted him nearby.

After working up the courage to ask for a photo, she got much more than she expected.

Crosby posed with her, walked over to speak with the rest of the family, talked hockey and stayed for a few more pictures.

Then came the part they did not see coming.

When the family asked for their bill, they learned Crosby had already paid for their entire lunch. He also left the young fan an autograph and a handwritten note.

No cameras. No announcement. Just a quiet gesture from one of hockey’s biggest stars.

Sidney Crosby has built a legendary career through what he does on the ice, but moments like this explain why he is respected just as much away from it.

Absolute class from Sid. 👏

Via Pittsburgh Hockey Now

[Just Another Year Chicago: Blackhawks @JAYChi_Hawks]

In case you needed a friendly reminder that Patrick Kane is a Blackhawk again! 🥹

Enjoy this highlight reel of Showtime doing what he does best. 🎬🍿

Cannot wait to see him back doing this at the United Center! #Blackhawks

[Duke Coughlin @ThatPodGuyDuke]

As the Patrick Kane signing as sunk in more as the day has gone on, I keep thinking of him watching the tribute video his first game back in Chicago with Detroit.

He was going through it and it was written all over his face. Typically you get the smile and wave, maybe wipe a tear, but he was torn up. He snapped out of it after the first lap when he finally just took it all in.

Truly believe if it was always up to him, he would've never left. Rebuild and all.

Patrick Kane is Chicago, man. Welcome home.

[Chicago Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks]

ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you’ve waited for… 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝟖𝟖‼️‼️

[Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol]

🚨#BREAKING: A German soccer fan who flew to the USA but was fearful about coming because of news about criminals and people being mean...

...breaks down into TEARS, live on air saying he has FALLEN IN LOVE with America after a random man named "Bob" in Boston gave him a ride home after he was stuck at a game with no way back to his hotel

The German soccer fan's name is Sebastian, he said after meeting Bob, he extended his entire trip.

He said leaving America will hurt worse than watching Germany get knocked out of the World Cup.

"I fall in love with America. I'm sorry, it's just so emotional. Americans are not rude... if we are together, we can achieve great things."

THIS IS THE AMERICA I KNOW!!!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Rick Smith @AxonRick]

USA Men’s National Team beats Bosnia-Herzegovina (even playing shorthanded) in the knockout round, after winning Group D convincingly, all here on home soil!

Hosting a World Cup this size is no small lift. Eleven stadiums, more than fifty additional sites, millions of fans moving through stadiums, fan zones and transit hubs across three countries. It takes a lot for all that to go right.

Axon is proud to play a role in this success story. Our Dedrone airspace security is protecting every U.S. World Cup stadiums and the sites around them, helping agencies identify and stop potential drone threats, before they become problems. [Link below]

Thirty three years ago this company started in a garage in Tucson with one product and a long shot. Watching this team’s run, I see some of that same arc. Long stretches of setbacks and hard work, with nobody watching... and then it finally all comes together in a moment too big to miss.

Go USA.
#WorldCup2026 #USMNT #GoUSA #ProtectLife

[John Brueck @johnbrueck]

@Musketeerhockey Well deserved! Congrats Lloyd!

[Sioux City Musketeers @Musketeerhockey]

Congratulations to Lloyd Ney the owner and managing partner of the Sioux City Musketeers on receiving the USHL Gasparini Award. For his outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and lasting contributions to the league’s growth and governance.

#SCMusketeers | #USHL | #SiouxCity

[Hockey Hall of Fame @HockeyHallFame]

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Keith Tkachuk.

#HHOF2026 #HHOF

[Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6]

This note was just left on my windshield. All of us @spittinchiclets are so lucky to have the job we do and there is no better feeling in the world than hearing we have helped certain people through some hard times. Best fans in the world

[not Johnny Manziel (parody) @JohnnyFootbalI]

Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett’s first shift together on the Florida Panthers

[Chris Murphy @SeeMurphsTweets]

Tomorrow's Chicago Tribune sports cover featuring the retirement of Jonathan Toews, who gave Chicago a lifetime of memories.

[NHL @NHL]

The kind of captain every team searches for! 🫡

Wishing you all the best in retirement, Jonathan Toews!

[Mike Commito @mikecommito]

North Stars GM Lou Nanne famously said “In the first round we drafted Mike Modano to protect the franchise, in the second round we drafted Link to protect Mike, and in the third round we should’ve drafted a lawyer to protect Link”

[Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn]

25 year anniversary of the greatest Cup raise ever

[Just Another Year Chicago: Blackhawks @JAYChi_Hawks]

16 years ago TODAY: The 49-year drought officially came to an end.

Patrick Kane finds the back of the net in OT to win the Stanley Cup! ABSOLUTE CINEMA.🎬🍿

Drop your exact memory of where you were when Kaner scored!👇 #Blackhawks

[Today in History @TodayinHistory]

Today in 1973, the greatest horse race in history was run.

Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths to become the Triple Crown winner and set a world record time that has never been beaten!

🎥: CBS Broadcast

[Chris Johnston @reporterchris]

Rod Brind'Amour, asked after a win in the Stanley Cup Final if he's been able to enjoy these games: "Not really. It's pretty stressful."

[Just Another Year Chicago: Blackhawks @JAYChi_Hawks]

13 years ago TODAY: One of the loudest moments in United Center history.

Game 5, overtime vs LA for a chance to go to the finals.

Patrick Kane flies down the right wing, buries the one-timer for the hat-trick, and hits the iconic heart-breaker celly. 💔