Cubs give Bartman World Series ring

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.

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 that Bartman “continues to be fully embraced by this organization.”

Bartman released a statement saying he is “deeply moved and sincerely grateful.” He praised the 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.

GONZALEZ’S NEAR NO-NO >>

Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez lost his no-hit bid in the ninth inning when Dee Gordon led off with a clean single, and the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 1-0 Monday night.

Gonzalez was pulled after Gordon hit a soft liner the opposite way to left-center field. He threw 106 pitches.