Catching Hell, ESPN's latest in their 30 for 30 series, debuted Tuesday. It's easy to see why ESPN would choose to lead off the new 30 for 30 season with a documentary about Steve Bartman. The baseball playoffs are just around the corner and the Bartman play is one of, if not the most well-known MLB playoff moment of the last decade. It's also just a flat-out unique and compelling story, revealing the worst and saddest aspects of sports fandom and even society at large.
I'm not going to delve into any kind of review of this film because it isn't necessary. Catching Hell reveals very little new information that baseball fans don't already know. If you watched the Cubs-Marlins series or are a fan of either team, I wouldn't consider this film required viewing. If you are unfamiliar with the Bartman incident, then it's worth a watch for the story.
The only portion of the film I did find particularly interesting was the account of one of the security guards working Game 6. She describes the process the security team underwent to try and escort Bartman from the stadium. This process included hiding him in Wrigley Field, changing his appearance, smuggling him outside of the stadium, and eventually ushering him into her apartment because he was recognized on the streets. This was a man who reached out for a foul ball being treated like a member of the Witness Protection Program. It's surreal to think this happened during a baseball game.
Catching Hell tries to be more than a Steve Bartman documentary. Director Alex Gibney attempts to draw comparisons to Bartman and Bill Buckner and make a larger point about scapegoating in sports. Bill Buckner of course, let Mookie Wilson's infamous ground ball squirm through his legs in the bottom of the tenth in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Despite enjoying a very productive 22-year career, Buckner is almost exclusively remembered for his gaff that cost Boston the championship. Towards the end of the film, Buckner is shown throwing out the first pitch of the 2008 Red Sox season. The Red Sox were coming off their second World Series championship in the last four years. Buckner finally found it within himself to throw out the first pitch after the 2007 title, a request he refused in 2005.
Gibney suggests that winning heals all wounds. He says the Boston fans have forgiven Buckner and now welcome him with open arms. He says when the Cubs win the World Series, Cubs fans will do the same for Bartman. I have a real problem with this statement. Bill Buckner was a player. He dazzled fans with his bat for over two decades. For the one "wrong" Buckner supposedly did the fans, he provided them with plenty of great baseball memories. Steve Bartman is a fan. Reaching out to grab that foul ball is all he'll ever be known for to Cubs fans. Imagine the ridiculousness of inviting Bartman to throw out a first pitch. What could the crowd cheer for? We acted like assholes, but all is forgiven (applause). You've been a loyal, paying customer to the Cubs organization (roaring applause). Bartman would decline any invitation, like he's been doing the last eight years anyway.
Catching Hell sells a fairy tale ending. Steve Bartman is never going to get that kind of closure. What's been done to him cannot be undone. This is why I fell like this documentary wasn't really about the flimsy nature of scapegoating, as I think was the intention. This documentary speaks to the ugliness of spur-of-the-moment mob mentality. Cubs fans didn't need a sympathetic film to make them regret how Bartman was treated. Almost everyone, from the message board tough guys, to the beer-throwing, asshole-chanting fans in attendance that night will tell you they were frustrated and acted out of character. That was eight years ago and they've moved on. Let this serve as a reminder that acting in accordance with an angry, drunken mob didn't and never has turned out well. One man bore the brunt of it and we're trying to determine if Cubs fans will ever forgive him? The real question should be: will Steve Bartman ever be able to forgive his fellow Cubs fans? I see no reason why he should.
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