Cubs give World Series championship ring to Steve Bartman

CHICAGO -- Having ended their title drought, the Chicago Cubs want their most notorious fan to share in their good fortune.

The Cubs announced Monday they were giving a World Series ring to Steve Bartman, who deflected a foul ball that might have landed in left fielder Moises Alou's glove with Chicago five outs from the World Series in 2003.

As CBS Chicago notes, in the aftermath of the game, Alou and manager Dusty Baker insinuated that Alou likely would've caught the ball and that the outcome could've been different.

Bartman was harassed after the incident and has avoided the spotlight since. Chicago beat Cleveland last fall for its first championship since 1908.

The Cubs say they "hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter" and Bartman "continues to be fully embraced by this organization."

Bartman released a statement saying he is "deeply moved and sincerely grateful." He praised team owners the Ricketts family and management, and called the ring a reminder of "how we should treat each other in today's society."

"My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain," he said. "Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved."

The Cubs said they "hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter."

"While no gesture can fully lift the public burden he has endured for more than a decade, we felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization," the team said. "After all he has sacrificed, we are proud to recognize Steve Bartman with this gift today."

General manager Jed Hoyer said it's "impossible not to look at him in an incredibly sympathetic way." He said Bartman was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" and his life has been "dramatically impacted indirectly by the Cubs organization, by this franchise, for 14 years."

"All that animosity, any scrutiny he gets, I hope that's gone," Hoyer added. "In some ways, it should never have been there in the first place. It's not a high point in Cubs history that this unsuspecting fan had his life altered by that foul ball. And now I think if giving him a ring and issuing statements and us winning the World Series allows that to go away, I think that's wonderful."

Here's a look at Bartman's ring:

Read Bartman's full statement below: 

"Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring," Bartman said in his statement. "I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations.

"Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over.

"I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today's society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.

"Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.

"Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving forward with my life."