Biggest Scapegoat in MLB History?

Question

Who is the biggest scapegoat in MLB History, Steve Bartman, Bill Buckner, other? Why?

Do you think they deserve what they got, why?

Answer 1

The Billy Goat!
Cubs fans - look over history. The reason its been 99 years since your last WS title is not because of a goat. The fact is that since 1908 the Cubs have been the most mis-managed team in all of baseball. Don't get me wrong, I love the Cubbies: the history, the nostalgia, the players, Wrigley Field, and the undying devotion of the fans. But there is no curse of a goat. It's plain and simple: the team has been horendously managed by the front office since old-man Wrigley bought the team. The only thing that carried them as close as they've gotten in the last century is pure talent, nothing else.

Answer 2

Steve Bartman really didn't interferer. Nor was he responsible for the Cubs losing game 7 which the Cubs led
5-3 at one point.

Bill Buckner did bumble game 6 but said he should have not been in their defensively at that point of the game. Bill was not at fault when the Red Sox lost game 7 after leading 3-0 through 5 innings.

Pete Rose is as guilty as sin. I'm not sure as to how he has been labeled as a scape goat. He should be banned from baseball.

I would have to say the Billy goat issue with the Cubs is ridiculous. There never was a curse to begin with. This has to be the biggest scapegoat. No pun intended.

Answer 3

Mickey Owens is one, as is Bill Buckner. Don't forget Mitch Williams, although we was doing his best, and was therefore able to walk off that field with his head held high.

Bartman isn't. The ball was in the stands and as such, he was fully entitled to it. That's 3.16 and the following note, in the rulebook. The scapegoats there are the Cubs, who whined and complained instead of using the time that they had left in that game to pick themsevles up and win it.

for Michael L, who is the world is Donnie Hill?

Answer 4

Russ Ortiz in the World Series between the Giants and Angels. Dusty Baker should have left him in. If he had, the Giants would have won the World Series in Game 5, but let the bullpen ruin what would have been a dream season.

Luckily, Russ was not vilified by the media or fans. Everybody dumped on Dusty Baker, which was very fitting!

Answer 5

Steve Bartman for sure. Cubs fans are STILL crying about "what if" and it happened FOUR years ago! All I have to say about this is - if it all comes down to ONE SINGLE PLAY to make or break the big game, your team obviously wasn't as strong or talented as you made them out to be. The Cubs should have locked up that game easily, it should not have been a "dealbreaker" just because some idiot got in the way of a play. I'm certainly not saying Steve did no wrong, however I think to lynch him over it YEARS later is flat out ridiculous. He was even threatened with his life! Please. 99 years and counting, I'm sure it will be 99 more with or without Steve Bartman at the games.

GO SOX

Answer 6

Buckner is, but it was only Game 6. A great team woulda bailed him out and won Game 7.

Answer 7

Bill Buckner. His goof didn't lose the series for the BoSox, there was still another game to be played. It wasn't fair how he's been portrayed in the media since.

Answer 8

Steve bartman doesn't deserve what he got, becuz the ball was in the stands, and everyone has a right to the ball when it is in the stands, even if it is still playable.

Any fan would of tried to catch the ball, even the dude besided him tried. So he shouldn't of got what he got.

Answer 9

Buckner would have to be up there;

or the cubs fan that blew the game several years ago

Answer 10

I gotta say Buckner. We even named the new bridge in Boston the "Buckner bridge", because it looks like two legs that you drive thru...