Cubs’ cap and frown
For team’s fans, Karros’ 2003World Series hat just adds to pain
A little piece of history that never was lives on with Eric Karros.
The former Cubs first baseman, who played his only season in Chicago in 2003, owns a Cubs hat with the World Series logo embroidered into the side.
It’s a unique piece of memorabilia that was never supposed to see the light of day. It was prematurely placed inside the Cubs’ clubhouse during Game 6 of that fateful National League Championship Series.
The Cubs led the Marlins 3- 0 in the eighth inning at Wrigley Field, six outs from capturing their first NL pennant since 1945. What could possibly go wrong?
“The hats were ready to roll,” Karros said when reached by phone Tuesday. “After Game 6, the hats were hastily being confiscated, and I happened to see one of the hats being removed from my locker area. After the series, I was able to get a hold of my hat.”
For a franchise with a history of angst that includes a billy goat, a black cat and Leon Durham, nothing in the last century matches the anguish of Game 6, which took place 11 years ago Tuesday.
There was one out in the top of the eighth inning when the sports world’s biggest scapegoat, Steve Bartman, interfered with a foul ball in left field. Three batters later, shortstop Alex Gonzalez misplayed a hard grounder that could have otherwise resulted in an inning- ending double play. Instead, the Cubs gave up eight runs in the inning and lost 8- 3.
The hat might be considered a painful reminder to some, but for Karros, it’s a treasured keepsake.
“More than anything, I just thought it was for me, personally, great to have something from that series,” Karros said. “That series will forever be remembered. It was obviously not great memories for a lot of people, but it was a part of Chicago baseball history.”
Karros showed off the hat for the first time during the Fox Sports 1 NLCS pregame show Tuesday. He said he keeps it in a display case at his home and has never worn it.
Karros hinted that former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood might also be in possession of a World Series hat but could not confirm it.
“Put it this way: I wouldn’t be surprised if [ Kerry] has one,” Karros said. “But I don’t think there are many of them out there. You weren’t supposed to have them after the series. I’m sure they were destroyed, but I’m also guessing there’s still a handful of them somewhere.”
Karros spent 14 years in the majors and is tremendously grateful for the one season he played with the Cubs, something he has often said every ballplayer should experience.
With that said, Karros would never consider selling the priceless World Series hat.
“This has significance beyond monetary value,” Karros said. “The only other world championship [ left] to win in any sport is baseball and the Chicago Cubs. Everything else has been done before. When it happens, I will definitely be in the stands.”