Cubs 2003 World Series Hats Were Made, Placed In Team’s Lockers (Photo)

The Chicago Cubs were given World Series caps in 2003. The problem, of course, is that the Cubs didn’t go to the World Series.

They sure were close, though. So close.

The North Siders came within one win of reaching the 2003 Fall Classic before disaster struck. The Cubs melted down at home in Game 6 against the Florida Marlins as Steve Bartman became one of the biggest goats in Chicago sports history.

The Marlins went on to win Game 7 of that NLCS and eventually claim the World Series over the New York Yankees. The Cubs, meanwhile, were left wondering “what if” after another heart-breaking loss.

Making matters worse for that Cubs team is that when the players returned to their lockers after the disappointing loss, they had a reminder of what could have been waiting for them.

Former Cubs infielder Eric Karros, now an analyst for FOX Sports, shared a story Tuesday on FOX Sports 1’s pregame coverage of how those 2003 World Series caps were left in the players’ lockers. The lids, which featured the World Series logo on the side, never really saw the light of day — until now. That’s because most players left them behind. Karros kept his, though, and showed it off Tuesday.

[tweet https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/522105665855053824 align=’center’]