Chicago Cubs: Top Five Cubs moments of 2017

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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The season may not be going the way the Chicago Cubs had hoped, but there are a few flashes of greatness. Here are the top five moments for the Cubs in 2017.

What can we say? The Chicago Cubs have not performed as everyone expected. Just being around .500 at baseball’s halfway point feels like a blessing, but this team was picked to run away with the division. Instead, they are looking up to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Did anyone outside of Milwaukee see that coming? They have played great baseball. The Cubs…well…they are underwhelming.

Still, the team can turn it around. Injuries to major contributors such as Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward have not helped. And the starting rotation is plagued with injuries and rough starts. It does not matter if they are tired, exhausted from the longer-than-normal season and eventful offseason. The team has not performed.

Yet, it has not all been bad. There are several moments that stand out for the season so far. Moments that show this team is good. Several of them to be honest. And, while Rizzo’s leadoff home runs are not on the list or some other key moments, these moments proved crucial. Here are the top five Cubs moments of 2017.

Happ homers in Cubs Debut

Stop me if you have heard this one: a player is called up and hits a home run for first in their debut. Okay, so it happens quite a bit. Willson Contreras did in his first at-bat on June 19, 2016. So did Jorge Soler and Starlin Castro. And while big things are expected for Ian Happ, he made sure to set the stage well.

Jim Deshaies called it. And, Happ delivered. On the first pitch in his at-bat versus Carlos Martinez, Happ lifts a home run to right field. It was a two-run shot, and the first hit of his career. Against the St. Louis Cardinals. And, it was on Mother’s day. While the team lost the game, it was a major moment for Happ and the team.

Happ is an intricate part of the Chicago Cubs roster now. Called up early due to injuries, he has quickly proved he belongs in the MLB.

Rally leads to win in ninth

They can’t all be blowouts. Actually, we would love to see a few blowouts right now. But, we did learn one thing about Chicago Cubs recently: they are never out of a game.

On June 29, the Cubs entered the top of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals, one of the best in all of baseball, trailing 4 to 2. However, their bullpen has struggled at times. And they did that day.

With one out already, rookie Jeimer Candelario was hit by a pitch. He was then forced out at second base after a ground ball by Victor Caratini. Now, with two down, Javier Baez singles to right field. Caratini, who took second while Baez was at-bat, now stands at third.

On a 1-1 count, Tommy LaStella singled to left-center, scoring Caratini and pushing Baez to third. Cubs trail 4-3. The veteran Jon Jay then laces a double to center field. The Cubs score two more. Wade Davis enters in the bottom of the inning. Game over.

Cubs win, 5 to 4.

Baez being Baez

There is no questioning the defensive ability of one Javier Baez. The amazing tags on a runner trying to steal are well documented. His range on the diamond is one of the best in the league. And he can turn a double-play quicker than you can blink.

In the Chicago Cubs series opener against the Washington Nationals on June 26, Baez was on display again. But this time, it was not tags or double-plays. It was his reflexes and speed.

On two separate plays, Baez flashed not only his leather but his feet. The line drive hit off the bat of Bryce Harper was screaming. Baez made an absurd catch, silencing any hopes of a rally.

Later in the game, Adam Lind pop a ball up into foul territory. Baez sprinted, slid, and made another ridiculous catch. Covering 132 feet of space and sliding into the wall was no problem for Javier Baez.

(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Captain Almor-ica

I love the movie “A Few Good Men.” The performances by Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson are just fantastic. I am known to quote of few lines. My favorite would be “Should we or should we not follow the advice of the galactically stupid!”

Apparently, Albert Almora, Jr., likes that movie as well. In the season’s opening series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Joe Maddon ordered the “Code Red.” Almora was happy to take care of business.

With the Chicago Cubs leading 2 to 1 in the bottom of the seventh, Matt Adams lift a ball to center field, thinking he was entitled to a home run. But, deep down, Almora said, “you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall.” He leaped, catching the ball and saving a run.

Adams tipped his cap to say thank you and went on his way.

I dare you to move

Is anyone else besides Miguel Montero tired about hearing how the pitchers for the Chicago Cubs can’t hold runners? You will not be voted off the bandwagon if you are, just go ahead and admit it. Every time I think about it, the voice of Joe Buck is saying it. That is just not healthy.

Well, apparently Jon Lester is tired of it as well. We know…..please stop saying it ESPN and Joe Buck…..we know Lester does not throw over to first base. We get it. It is not a story anymore.

Except, he does. And it is glorious. With Tommy Pham of the St. Louis Cardinals taking a 19-foot lead off of first base, they dared Lester to do something. He did. He lobbed a throw to Anthony Rizzo and picked Pham off.

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The best part is right before the throw over. Cardinals announcer Tim McCarver says on air, “he is not going to first base.” Well, Timmy, he does. And Lester stared down the Cardinals bench, saying “I dare you to move.” They deserved that. The Cubs came back to win, 5 to 3.

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