Poor Bartman after all that he doesnt even make a dime off the deal......

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubs-foulball&prov=ap&type=lgns


OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP) -- An Internet auction house claims to have the baseball at the center of one of the most infamous plays in Chicago Cubs history -- the foul fly from Game 6 of this year's NL championship series.

MastroNet Inc., based in suburban Chicago, said Tuesday it would auction the ball on behalf of a 33-year-old Chicago attorney identified only as ``Jim'' in a statement.

According to the company, Jim was sitting near Cubs fan Steve Bartman, who deflected a foul pop away from left fielder Moises Alou in the eighth inning of Game 6 against Florida.




Jim grabbed the ball when it bounced his way and put it in his pocket, the statement said.

The Cubs fell apart after that play, blowing a 3-0 lead and losing 8-3. They also lost Game 7 and missed a chance to reach their first World Series since 1945.

The ball was authenticated using affidavits, ticket stubs and other information, MastroNet Vice President of Acquisitions Brian Marren said in a statement.

``It's an item that represents the continuing saga of the Cubs' storied legacy,'' Marren said. ``Collectors appreciate that kind of history.''

The phone and Web auction for the baseball is scheduled to begin Dec. 1 and end Dec. 18. Bidding will start at $5,000, the company said.

``The whole situation really did fall in my lap,'' Jim said in the statement. ``I understand that there are collectors who would really covet this item.''