The Upper Deck
Welcome to The Upper Deck, Baseball America’s daily look at the biggest stories around the game and some lighter fare.
WELCOME BACK, BARTMAN
WGN EXCLUSIVE: Steve Bartman to receive 2016 Chicago @Cubs World Series Championship ring https://t.co/14zQ8W0hMb
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) July 31, 2017
Fourteen years after The Reach Heard ‘Round The World, the Cubs are welcoming Steve Bartman back to their bosom.
The Cubs on Monday said they recently awarded Bartman—infamous for reaching for a foul ball during the 2003 NLCS, a play that Cubs fans blamed for their collapse in the series—a 2016 World Series ring.
The Cubs said they gave Bartman the ring in order to close “an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated” over the years. Bartman was blamed and ostracized following the Cubs blowing a 3-1 lead to the Marlins for the pennant.
Bartman said he appreciated the Ricketts family reaching out to him.
“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 a statement issued by the Cubs. “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.”
Don’t expect Bartman to return to Wrigley anytime soon. His lawyer said Bartman still prefers to maintain his low-key existence.
JUST SHORT
Monday would have been the 25th birthday of late Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. His good friend and fellow Cuban Gio Gonzalez—pitching in Marlins Park—took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Dee Gordon singled to break it up. Gonzalez and the Nationals still ended up with the 1-0 win.
LOOK OUT!
Yoan Moncada, the top prospect in the game, and White Sox right fielder Willy Garcia collided Monday chasing a popup from Darwin Barney of the Blue Jays and both left the game. As bad as it looks in the video, neither was badly hurt. Moncada has a knee bruise and Garcia has a head contusion.
HEY KLAY
Sources: @KlayThompson is still a member of the @warriors, but MLB scouts are interested! 👀 pic.twitter.com/XKdM8GLw45
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2017
First pitches can go horribly wrong, but everything’s coming up roses for the NBA’s Warriors. Warriors forward Klay Thompson threw out the first pitch Monday before the A’s game, and some of the baseball genes from brother Trayce (Dodgers) bled through. Thompson fired one in there for a strike.
YOUNG GUN
Rafael Devers is the first @RedSox player age 20 or younger to collect 4 hits in a game since Tony Conigliaro in 1965. pic.twitter.com/2dGWGnhDSi
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) August 1, 2017
Red Sox manager John Farrell has had high praise for 20-year-old rookie Rafael Devers, and with good reason. Devers was 4-for-4 Monday in a 6-2 win over Cleveland and is 10-for-24 through six games with two homers.
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