Chicago Cubs: Looking back at some awkward homecomings

Chicago Cubs: Hard feelings all around for a guy who was vital in the Cubs 2016 World Series win

After hitting the unbelievable grand slam in the NLCS and driving in the final winning run in the World Series clincher, Miguel Montero’s tenure as a Cub all fell apart the following season. The drama began to form between him and his teammates, which escalated with him calling out Jake Arrieta’s performance and Anthony Rizzo calling his act “selfish” on ESPN 1000. Montero would be DFAed and then get dealt with the Toronto Blue Jays for cash in early July.

This was not the end of this story. On August 18 the Cubs would begin a three-game set with the Blue Jays at Wrigley Field with Montero returning to his former home. In the first inning, after the Jays scored a run, Montero came to the plate, and boos began to come down on the former World Series hero. Some could argue a few of those boos from Cubs fans were directed at the thousands of Jays fans chanting “Let’s go Blue Jays!” after they had just scored, but certainly a chunk of that was directed at Montero.

It was such a sour ending to his story in Chicago, which he frankly did not help himself out with, but seeing as he was such a big part of that great run, it was still tough to hear the boos. Even after he was rid of by the team, Montero again thanked the Cubs and fans for his time in Chicago.

Luckily today, it seems the hard feelings have been overall mended between his former teammates and the fans as he has been welcomed back at Cubs Convention. Let it be water under the bridge.

There are likely other occasions former players returning to Wrigley were greeting no-so-nicely, but these stand out. This kind of story could make one wonder what it would have been like if the 2005 Orioles came to Wrigley Field with Sammy Sosa. We will never know.