Chicago Cubs: Addison Russell’s harrowing fall from grace

Chicago Cubs: A dip in performance and allegations surface

Expectations for the 2017 Chicago Cubs – and Addison Russell – couldn’t have been higher at the onset of the season.

Instead of meeting said expectations, the Chicago shortstop battled injuries, failed to perform – seeing most offensive metrics trend downward and, by early in the summer, was mentioned on a near-daily basis in prospective trade rumors. He spoke about what that process was like earlier this year.

"“There was a lot of trade talk,” Russell said. “My initial thoughts were, I hope it doesn’t happen, but wherever I go, I’m going to try to bring what I bring to the table here. It’s a good thing that it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m happy being in a Cubs uniform, I want to be in a Cubs uniform, for sure. But there was some talk out there. If I got traded, then I got traded, but that’s not the case.”"

Then, the story broke. Russell’s wife Melisa posted on her personal Instagram account, saying:

“Being free to make your own choices for your own happiness beats being cheated on, lied to, & disrespected any day. #herestonewbeginnings #onlygetsbetterfromhere”

One of her friends also commented on the post, escalating the allegations from those of the cheating variety to domestic abuse.

"“Hateful is cheating on your wife, mentally and physically abusing her. Melisa didn’t want that out but I’ll say it. He hit her. In front of Aiden & Mila. But let’s worry about Melisa being “hateful” she was loyal, forgiving and kind. Still is. She found condoms in his apartment yesterday. Should I keep the list going?"

Roughly a month later, she filed for divorce from the Cubs shortstop. But when Major League Baseball worked to investigate the allegations, Russell refused to cooperate with investigators – all but ending their work.

"“Melisa isn’t interested in legitimizing anything that doesn’t come from her,” her attorney said. “Ultimately, MLB has one reason for wanting to talk to her, but she doesn’t believe it would be of any benefit for her or her son.”"

And, seemingly, that was to be the quiet end of allegations that shocked the baseball world.