Chicago Cubs: Playoff shares awarded as Christmas comes early

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs players celebrate on the field after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs players celebrate on the field after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs were awarded their playoff shares, just in time for the holiday season.

Playoff shares were announced and the Chicago Cubs winning share pool was a lofty $27,586,017.56.  The Cubs awarded 66 full shares worth $368,871.59 to players and other team personnel. There were 8.7 partial awards, and four cash awards according to MLB.

If you were a player for most of the season, you got a full award. The Cubs likely gave full awards to players obtained in mid-summer trades such as Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman. A fitting way to cap off a tremendous season. It is rumored that Chapman may take an offer from another team. Catcher Kyle Schwarber was injured in the first week of the season and came back for the post-season and had a torrid October likely, got a full award.  This is recognition for the service each player put into making the post-season so special.

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Cubs Catcher David Ross, who said he was retiring at the end of the season, is going out in style. Meanwhile, OF Albert Almora, Jr. who was called up this season, got a great bonus check. Kris Bryant, who probably had a provision in his contract for winning the National League MVP, also made out well.

Playoff record for payouts

The total award pool for the ten post-season teams was a record $76,627,827.09. This was based on gate receipts of the post-season games.  The Mets, who lost the wild-card game to the SF Giants, each received awards over $18,000. The Giants, who played in the NLDS and lost to the Chicago Cubs, each received upwards of $36,000 each.  It pays to make the post-season.

The Cleveland Indians, the losing team in the instant classic World Series — each player received $261,804.65. The Washington Nationals were awarded $2,490,404.38 and each player got $35,442.68, so the Nats’ efforts were recognized.

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Players have gone to their respective homes or countries in the off-season. They are in their winter routine, but this is a great reminder of all the hard work that starts in the days of December and culminates in the playoffs. The year 2016 will be forever etched in Chicago sports history and certainly, Cubs history.  And, receiving a player award of $368,000 is a testament to that fact.

You can take that to the bank.

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