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Steve Bartman is ‘overjoyed’ about Cubs’ World Series win but won’t attend the parade, spokesman says

Cubs fan Steve Bartman prevents outfielder Moises Alou from catching a foul ball during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.
(Morry Gash / Associated Press)
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Steve Bartman is off the hook.

But a spokesman for the infamous Chicago Cubs fan said Bartman didn’t express relief after Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

After all, the Cubs are world champions — finally.

“He was just overjoyed that the Cubs won, as all the Cubs fans are,’’ attorney Frank Murtha told USA Today on Thursday.

In 2003, Bartman accidentally knocked a foul ball away from Chicago outfielder Moises Alou during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. At the time, the Cubs were just five outs from their first World Series appearance since 1945. But Bartman’s interference sparked a rally by the Marlins, who went on to win that game and then the NLCS.

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Many Cubs fans have blamed Bartman for that loss and their team’s continued woes in general. According to Murtha, Bartman hasn’t granted any interviews since then and doesn’t plan on making any public appearances even now that the curse has been lifted.

“We don’t intend to crash the parade,’’ Murtha said. “The one thing that Steve and I did talk about was if the Cubs were to win, he did not want to be a distraction to the accomplishments of the players and the organization.’’

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii

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