[bitch]

Cubs' Playoff Ball to Be Auctioned
Wed Nov 12,12:09 AM ET

OAK BROOK, Ill. - An Internet auction house claims to have the baseball at the center of one of the most infamous plays in Chicago Cubs (news) history — the foul fly from Game 6 of this year's NL championship series.

MastroNet Inc., based in suburban Chicago, said Tuesday it would auction the ball on behalf of a 33-year-old Chicago attorney identified only as "Jim" in a statement.

According to the company, Jim was sitting near Cubs fan Steve Bartman, who deflected a foul pop away from left fielder Moises Alou in the eighth inning of Game 6 against Florida.

Jim grabbed the ball when it bounced his way and put it in his pocket, the statement said.

The Cubs fell apart after that play, blowing a 3-0 lead and losing 8-3. They also lost Game 7 and missed a chance to reach their first World Series (news - web sites) since 1945.

The ball was authenticated using affidavits, ticket stubs and other information, MastroNet Vice President of Acquisitions Brian Marren said in a statement.

"It's an item that represents the continuing saga of the Cubs' storied legacy," Marren said. "Collectors appreciate that kind of history."

The phone and Web auction for the baseball is scheduled to begin Dec. 1 and end Dec. 18. Bidding will start at $5,000, the company said.

"The whole situation really did fall in my lap," Jim said in the statement. "I understand that there are collectors who would really covet this item."

Greedy fuckers. That's all I have to say...