Steve Bartman ‘Overjoyed’ With Cubs, But Won’t Be At Parade

Steve Bartman
In this Oct 14, 2003, file photo, Steve Bartman catches a ball as Chicago Cubs left fielder Moises Alou's arm is seen reaching into the stands, at right, against the Florida Marlins in the eighth inning during Game 6 of the National League championship series Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Bartman's spokesman, Frank Murtha, tells USA Today that Bartman is overjoyed by the Cubs first World Series title since 1908, but won't attend the victory parade in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2016. Morry Gash / Associated Press
Steve Bartman
In this Oct 14, 2003, file photo, Steve Bartman catches a ball as Chicago Cubs left fielder Moises Alou's arm is seen reaching into the stands, at right, against the Florida Marlins in the eighth inning during Game 6 of the National League championship series Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Bartman's spokesman, Frank Murtha, tells USA Today that Bartman is overjoyed by the Cubs first World Series title since 1908, but won't attend the victory parade in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2016. Morry Gash / Associated Press

Steve Bartman ‘Overjoyed’ With Cubs, But Won’t Be At Parade

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs fans are packing downtown Chicago to celebrate the team’s first World Series title in 108 years, but one infamous fan won’t be among them.

Steve Bartman has confirmed through a spokesman that he won’t be at the victory parade or rally.

Frank Murtha tells USA Today that Bartman “was overjoyed that the Cubs won” on Wednesday night to clinch the Series, but that he doesn’t “want to be a distraction” to the team’s accomplishments.

Bartman vanished from public view after interfering with a foul ball during the National League Championship Series in 2003.

The Cubs were five outs away from reaching the World Series at the time. Bartman became a pariah in Chicago after the Cubs went on to lose the game and the series to the Marlins.