Cubs Mickey Morandini was one of the best for a short time

Chicago Cubs second baseman Mickey Morandini was good for albeit short time he was here. He wound up going to the Phillies and from there the Blue Jays before retirement.

He was only there two years, but Chicago Cubs second baseman Mickey Morandini was good at his craft. He hit .296 with eight home runs and 53 RBI with a 3.6 WAR. Plus, he played a tremendous second base. His second year wasn’t all that, and he went back to the Phillies. Then he played in 35 games in Toronto before he retired.

In his career, he was good, not great. He made the All-Star team in 1995, but that was it. His career-year was 1998, and it impressive. He posted a slash line of .296/.380/.385 with an OBP of .765. His OBP was his highest yet and set another record in batting average. He came to the Cubs in his ‘twilight’ of his career, and he still spent another great season in the big leagues.

I remember him playing in a softball league, drinking his ‘adult’ beverages, and absolutely having his best life after retirement. We should all do that because that’s what we’re expected to do.  You don’t do it for an All-Star appearance in 1995 and 24th in MVP voting. Just saying.

Morandini spent most of his career with one team (Phillies), yet he was a ‘fan favorite’ here with the Cubs.  And you know what? I’m damn proud of him for that. Just for one season, but he proved that he had a little left in the tank.

Morandini was a ‘players player.’ He’d stick his neck out there just because. And honestly? He was happy to do that. Nevermind what he thought. He was just an ‘old player’ just trying to find a way through it all. I’d say he handled that and more.