Moises Alou says "I wouldn't have caught it anyway"

[Pere]

Others believe that it would have been foul anyway.

There's no question that it was foul.

I don't believe him. If he didn't think he was going to catch it, he wouldn't have flipped out.

He may well have thought he was going to catch it at that time... or (not quite the same thing) he was pumped up at a critical moment of the game, and it was close, and he felt he "should have" caught it, so he lashed out. Much later, calmer, having seen the replays himself, he may have decided that he probably wasn't going to get it, and he's a little embarrassed about everybody blaming Bartman, and the role he himself had in creating the image of fault.

[Gary Dunaier]

OK, who believes Alou is telling the truth?

I do.

You also have to remember that by that time the ball was over the stands, so while Alou might have been able to make the catch, Bartman and the fans near him were within their right to go for the ball.

[SamtheBravesFan]

He may well have thought he was going to catch it at that time... or (not quite the same thing) he was pumped up at a critical moment of the game, and it was close, and he felt he "should have" caught it, so he lashed out. Much later, calmer, having seen the replays himself, he may have decided that he probably wasn't going to get it, and he's a little embarrassed about everybody blaming Bartman, and the role he himself had in creating the image of fault.

That is also a possibility.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I do.

You also have to remember that by that time the ball was over the stands, so while Alou might have been able to make the catch, Bartman and the fans near him were within their right to go for the ball.

Correct and don't know why some were getting all over Bartman. Steve was not the only spectator reaching for the ball. The only reason others did not get a hand on the ball was because it was out of their reach. It's not like they considered that...........let it go, they just couldn't reach the ball.

[Sweet Lou]

And if the ball had been way farther foul, and Bartman wasn't even involved, the game would most likely had played out the same way, which was: Alex Gonzalez making a crucial error, and whoever was pitching (Wood?) melting down.
No, Bartman didn't lose the game for the Cubs, the Cubs lost the game for the Cubs.
Lou

[rockin500]

And if the ball had been way farther foul, and Bartman wasn't even involved, the game would most likely had played out the same way, which was: Alex Gonzalez making a crucial error, and whoever was pitching (Wood?) melting down.
No, Bartman didn't lose the game for the Cubs, the Cubs lost the game for the Cubs.
Lou

most normal people blame gonzalez. It was prior who melted down. he got rattled by the double whammy of alou flippin out and gonzo then letting it go through his wickets. if gonzo fields it, they get out of it with one run given up.

[NYMets523]

And if the ball had been way farther foul, and Bartman wasn't even involved, the game would most likely had played out the same way, which was: Alex Gonzalez making a crucial error, and whoever was pitching (Wood?) melting down.
No, Bartman didn't lose the game for the Cubs, the Cubs lost the game for the Cubs.
Lou

Prior

Dusty should have come out and settled everyone down. But he was an idiot and still is to this day.

[Dalkowski110]

""You know what the funny thing is?'' he added a moment later. "I wouldn't have caught it, anyway.''"

You have to wonder if he just feels horrible about Steve Bartman being scapegoated to the point of death threats by a few Cubs fan(atic)s.

One could say it's comparable to the story of John McGraw and Fred Merkle. McGraw did NOT, as is contrary to popular belief, feel sorry for Fred Merkle at all at first. He (as often was the case) blew his stack at him. But then as the months wore on and it was just completely eating Merkle up, McGraw genuinely did start to feel sorry for him. When Merkle finally had a chance for a raise in salary at the beginning of the next season, McGraw personally saw to it that he got it.

[KCGHOST]

Like it was said above, the best thing would have been if he said it right after the game.

Well, on second thought I guess the best thing for Bartman would have been if the Cubs had sealed the deal and beaten the Marlins.

[JerseySoxFan19]

I've seen the clip quite a few times and I honestly don't think Alou would've caught it anyway. It looked like it was gonna go into the stands anyway. I don't understand why Alou flipped his lid for no reason. Steve Bartmann doesn't diserve the crap he gets.
BTW- The Cubbies are set to take it all, remember we broke the Bambino in the 100th series and the cubs are on the 100th anny of their last series so the stars are aligned lets see what happens.

[Gary Dunaier]

Well, on second thought I guess the best thing for Bartman would have been if the Cubs had sealed the deal and beaten the Marlins.

Ah, yes, "What If..." a classic Marvel Comics title from the late 1970s, and a great game to play as well.

If the Cubs had won, Bartman might be a footnote, if even that.

What if Jeffrey Maier's catch was ruled fan interference, and the game went against the Yankees?

[SamtheBravesFan]

What if Jeffrey Maier's catch was ruled fan interference, and the game went against the Yankees?

Well, that one would be less predictable. It's easier to fantasize about the Cubs one because they would have had two out in that inning.

Anything could have happened. Anything at all... hehehe.

[AutographCollector]

Could someone please post a video clip of Alou "attempting" to catch the ball.

[RuthMayBond]

Could someone please post a video clip of Alou "attempting" to catch the ball.

Looks like he could have got it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfjeEZY39Do

[AutographCollector]

Looks like he could have got it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfjeEZY39Do

From the different angles... you are right.