Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Young Cubs conquer their share of adversity
The path to the 2017 playoffs was more volatile than anticipated for many of the Cubs youngsters that helped lead them to the 2016 World Series.
But the most important growth – measured in terms of overcoming failure – could serve the Cubs well as they attempt to defend their Series title.
“It was a year in which a lot of players experienced significant personal growth, facing some things and overcoming them — whether it was struggles on the field, and working their way out of slumps, or struggles off the field and getting their lives in a better place,” President Theo Epstein said.
“This year wasn’t easy for the team. It wasn’t easy on a lot of guys, but everyone is better for having gone through it and ending up in a really good place collectively.” For instance: Kyle Schwarber started the season as the leadoff hitter, only to be demoted to Triple-A Iowa in late June but still managed to hit 30 home runs for the Cubs.
Addison Russell endured an 80-point drop in his batting average, a publicized divorce filing and plantar fasciitis in his right foot to hit a three-run, division-clinching home run Wednesday.
And Ian Happ wasn’t supposed to reach the majors until the second half of the season, yet overcame a high strikeout total to smack 24 home runs and provide versatility for manager Joe Maddon.
The collective recoveries have been remarkable, considering the expectations following the contributions during their run to Game 1: Cubs 3, Nats 0 7:30 p.m. Friday, TBS Game 2: Cubs at Nationals, late Game 3: at Cubs TBD Monday, TBS *Game 4: at Cubs TBD Tuesday, TBS *Game 5: at Nationals TBD Thursday, TBS the World Series. Schwarber, 24, missed nearly all of 2016 but rebounded from two torn ligaments in his right knee to bat .412 (7for-17) in the Series.
“Give the guy high marks for his perseverance,” Maddon said of Schwarber, who batted .255 with 18 home runs after returning from his demotion.
Maddon admitted his expectations for Schwarber were too high, especially since he missed all but the first three games of the 2016 regular season.
Russell, 23, went 6-for-13 with two home runs in the final three games of the National League Championship Series and hit a grand slam in Game 6 of the World Series.
“Every bit of postseason experience helps, especially when you stare into the abyss, which we did three times in each series last year,” Epstein said. “And the experience of losing in 2015, our guys are battle tested.”
Russell believes he’s gained ample experience from the speed bumps of the past three seasons.
“We take every failure and twist it around and make it a positive,” Russell said. “That’s the type of players we have.”
Happ, 23, the Cubs’ first pick in the 2015 draft, was promoted from Iowa on May 13 merely as a temporary fill-in due to injuries but made enough instant contributions to stick around and battle through some tough times — particularly chasing high fastballs.
“That’s a constant progression, and I’m trying to continue to get better,” Happ said. “I don’t think it’s good enough yet.