Unexpected roster addition already a folk hero to Chicago Cubs fans

Chicago Cubs Catcher Reese McGuire has had quite a journey...over the past week. On May 16, McGuire was released by the Cubs organization; he had been playing in Triple-A Iowa. He initially came to the Cubs organization in January on a Minor League Deal and was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. However, he was quickly re-signed to another Minor League contract on Thursday. Before he knew it, he was heading to Cincinnati to join the Cubs with Miguel Amaya going on the IL.

Today, he was a hero. Hitting two home runs in a Cubs 11-8 win over the Reds. He is the third Cub to ever hit two home runs in his debut with the team. Both home runs were off lefties, and his second bomb tied the game in the 8th inning. He was not even supposed to start. Carson Kelly was slated in but was scratched late due to an illness. Coming into today's action, McGuire had four home runs total over the past two seasons (125 games).

McGuire went from being released just over a week ago from a Minor League contract to being a key cog in a Cubs win. It was his first MLB game since July 24 of last year with the Red Sox. He's been primarily a backup catcher over his MLB career and came up into Sunday's game hitting 252/.300/.364 with 16 homers, .644 OPS, and 80 wRC+ in 355 games with the Blue Jays, White Sox, and Red Sox.

After the game, he spoke with Marquee's Taylor McGregor on his emotional journey and what it meant to him to get the opportunity to play in the Majors again.

"I'm just thankful for this opportunity to be back here. What a team to be a part of," McGuire told Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network.

We fans cannot imagine what it must feel like to go through Minor League demotions, being released, last-minute callups to the Majors, and so on. You could hear slight voice cracks and trembles in his words talking to McGregor reflecting on his journey. He has been through ups and downs in his career, and got to display his worth Sunday in Cincinnati in such a big way. Not only was he filling in a catcher position, but he was stepping in for Amaya, who has been playing very well this year and has been clutch with the bat. It has to feel like a million bucks to accomplish what he did.

No matter what happens going forward, McGuire is part of Cubs lore now. People will say, "Hey remember when McGuire hit two home runs in his debut?" Fans don't forget that. He will be known as #CubsLegend Reese McGuire, now. Even if it's tongue-in-cheek, it's valuable for something and a humble reminder of the humanity behind professional athletes.