Steve Bartman became an unexpected public figure during a Chicago Cubs playoff game in 2003. While sitting in the stands, he reached for a foul ball that was heading toward the crowd. In doing so, he interfered with an attempted catch by Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou. Although the play was ruled legal, many fans believed the incident changed the course of the game. After the game, the Cubs lost their lead and were eventually eliminated from the playoffs. Many frustrated fans unfairly blamed Bartman for the team’s defeat. He faced intense criticism, harassment, and threats, forcing him to leave the stadium under security protection. Over time, however, many people came to recognize that the loss resulted from several mistakes made by the team, not from the actions of a single fan. In the years that followed, Bartman chose to stay out of the public eye and rarely spoke about the incident. His story became a powerful example of how public attention and sports emotions can affect an ordina...