Chicago Cubs: Top 5 Jake Arrieta moments as we bid farewell

All good things must come to an end. With recent news breaking out of Chicago this week that Jake Arrieta has been released, Chicago Cubs fans have now had to endure saying farewell yet another all-time favorite. Saying goodbye to fan favorites seems to happening all too often these days. Although this goodbye isn’t as heart-wrenching for the Cubs and die-hard fans, it is yet another one added to the ledger.

The now-35-year-old Arrieta just didn’t have much left in the tank anymore. In 86 1/3 innings of work this season, Arrieta struggled to the tune of a 6.88 ERA and 5-11 record. A far, far cry from the former ace of the Cubs pitching staff. We pretty much all knew it was inevitable at some point. Releasing the veteran at this point will at least make room in the rotation for another young up-and-comer to showcase what he’s got. That is, unless they go back to a five-man rotation now and just stick with Justin Steele as Arrieta’s replacement.

It was a sentimental reunion tour that saw Arrieta don Cubbie blue for one last hoorah. Now, the Cubs and their fanbase can let Arrieta’s legacy live on, the way it probably should have all along. There were so many key moments that the TCU alum gave the Cubs. Fans across Chicago will always be thankful and full of gratitude when remembering what Arrieta did for the Cubs in his first stint with the team. Looking back, let’s revisit the top five Jake Arrieta moments in a Cubs uniform.