Coach's corner: A different look at a 'famous' Northbrook resident

One Northbrook reached instant fame - in the worst possible way - back in October of 2003.

We all know the story (although some of our younger readers maybe not).

Cubs leading 3-0 in game 6 of the NL Championship Series against the Marlins. Two innings away from their first World Series appearance since 1945. A foul ball comes down the left field line and Steve Bartman, with a seat in the first row, reaches out to catch it. While doing so, he gets in the way of Cubs left fielder Moises Alou. Alou yells at Bartman. The fans around him become angry. The Cubs proceed to give up 8 runs in the inning and lose not only that game, but game 7 as well, thus missing out on the once-every-nearly-60-years chance to play in the World Series.

Incredibly and instantly, Bartman, who was just innocently attending a baseball game of the team he loves so dearly, becomes the main figure in a national news story. His life changed in a moment. It happened that quickly.

OK, I really didn't want to recap all that because most of our readers are well-aware, and it is a story only too-well documented. Not the reason for this column.

The last thing I want to do here is to bring this story up and awake the buzzards that have, thankfully, died now that the Cubs finally won a World Series in 2016.

Instead, I want to give the young man from Northbrook the greatest of accolades.

It is wise to remember how, immediately after the incident, he dropped out of the public eye. Completely. He gave one statement of apology and that was it.

But here is the interesting part. He was hounded for days, weeks, months and years afterward. Every reporter, cameraman, freelancer, magazine writer and even private investigators went looking for Bartman. Money, recognition, fame and fortune were all there to be won in the sordid world of gossip if he could be "uncovered".

I am sure he had some people around him encouraging him to take advantage of the instant fame and "cash in" monetarily. Writing a book, for example, had to be an option,

But he never did. Bartman and his family would not yield, and they resisted making any public appearances. It was all right there for him, but Northbrook's new star never took the bait. He stayed true to the cause, as did his friends and family members who, too, never gave in to easy temptation.

He just kept on working at his job, living in his home, and keeping a profile lower than a foxhole on a battlefield.

I only bring this up now because maybe Bartman can be great example for many of our young athletes today. In his own quiet and unique way, he may have taught us about the ability to resist easy temptation. He surely gave us a lesson in the discipline - to stick with what you believe and consistency of behavior, drawing on high character while not succumbing to the easy flaws our society can all too often throw at us. The ones that can come off the field as well as on.

These can be numerous in a young athlete's life.

The questionable in nature party that maybe they shouldn't attend, the test that might be too easy to cheat on, the workouts that are supposed to be done on your own, the summer practices, or even in competition when faced with an opponent who may be chiding you on verbally or physically.

How you respond to this is a window into one's character. Do you have the Bartman-like ability to withstand easy temptation and still do the right thing? Not just one time but to hold true to your convictions for an extended period of time? Not easy. Not easy at all. But maybe the payoff in the end is worth the wait.

Bartman showed that, and in the end he was rewarded.

When the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016, they reached out and offered to award him a World Series ring. The ultimate in sports treasures. This, remember, for the kid from Northbrook who on one fateful day and in one fateful moment had his life changed forever. The suffering was no doubt significant, but now Bartman sports a World Series ring with his name and insignia in large letters.

In appreciation of this classy gesture by the Cubs, finally after years of silence, Bartman did release a statement.

"I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for 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. "

I won't try and expound on those well-chosen words. The power of his message speaking loud and clear on its own. And Bartman again showing his total class and high character.

One final note here. I actually had some personal experience with the young man, although it was quite brief. He was at Notre Dame High School when I was coaching the freshman basketball team. In fact, although memory is pretty foggy here, I think he tried out for hoops, and worse yet, I don't think he made the team. (coach's decision, that being me!)

But this much I do remember: He played for the school's baseball team, and he was pretty good. He also played for a top-level travel baseball team called The Renegades, who only select some of the best. Steve was a pretty good athlete, an outstanding baseball player and, more importantly, a really nice kid.

Northbrook has had many people who have reached some levels of fame and significance through their particular chosen field or endeavors. A long, proud lineage. Let it be known, here, that Steve Bartman deserves to have his name right up there with our best and brightest.

Even if it happened in the strangest of ways.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.