WATCH: Fan catches foul ball, Baez playfully tries to take it from him |
CHICAGO, Illinois — Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks gave up three runs to the opposing Los Angeles Angels in the top of the second on Saturday. Unfortunately for Hendricks, the 3-run barrage could have been avoided if an overzealous fan did not go above and beyond to catch a foul ball.
Channeling his inner Steve Bartman, a fan donning a Cubs hat, glasses and a baseball glove, which resembled Bartman's infamous getup, opted to try his luck at catching a fly ball in foul territory on the third-base side. The Cubs supporter was able to make the catch and garner himself a souvenir, but that did not sit well with Cubs shortstop Javier Baez. Baez and third baseman David Bote raced over to attempt to make the catch, which would have been easy to pull off in the front row of seats near third base, but the fan prevented that from happening. This was an unfortunate series of events to start the three-run inning. No errors were charged either, tough break for Hendricks. pic.twitter.com/oZ4RH8w5iT Almost as if to say that the baseball was rightfully his and belonged in his glove, Baez playfully grabbed at the fan's mitt after he secured the catch. Realizing his gaffe, the misguided Bleacher Bum then told Baez and Bote that he was sorry. He should have apologized to Hendricks, though, as the batter at the time proceeded to smack a single that pushed the runner on base around to third and incited the scoring surge for the Angels at Hendricks' expense. All of that could have been avoided if Baez or Bote had caught the foul ball for the first out. Instead, a greedy fan with a glove cost the team that he claims to support yet again. Javy (probably): "That was my ball, man." pic.twitter.com/uPMfQqX03f This must be the first time a fan has ever stolen a foul ball from a Cubs player at Wrigley Field.
At least he said sorry. pic.twitter.com/EZ0mrUJjWR