CHICAGO -- Next Tuesday might be the proudest day to be a Chicago Cubs fan -- outside of the day that they see their team become a World Series winner, of course. A franchise that not long ago was searching for just a single worthy All-Star, the Cubs made history in sending all four infielders to San Diego as starters, along with starting outfielder Dexter Fowler and pitchers Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta.
“I relayed to them congratulations and just how impressed that we are,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the announcements were made. “I want them to slow it down and enjoy every second of it. The tendency when you get there -- especially the first time -- it’s quick.”
Five of them are going because of the Cubs' massive fan base, which voted them in, but that doesn’t take away from their great first halves -- both on an individual and team level. And the scariest part, which Maddon often points out, is this could easily be the beginning of a long run. Three of the four infielders are 26 or younger, so it isn't hard to picture a long run of Cubs infield dominance on All-Star rosters. This is All-Star Game No. 1 for 22-year-old Addison Russell, who's at an age when many players still haven't played their first major league game.
“I get to go to an atmosphere that’s kind of alien to me but with guys I play with every single day,” Russell said. “Kris [Bryant] has been there, Rizz [Anthony Rizzo] has been, so they know the ropes.”
Some might say this is too much, too soon for a group that hasn’t won anything. They might also say that the young Cubs stars need a break after struggling in the weeks heading into the break, but what they lose in sleep they gain back in confidence, at least according to their manager.
“What it does for your own personal self-esteem is very valuable,” Maddon said. “There’s fan acceptance within that. There’s peer acceptance within that ... the game you wanted to play since you were a kid. You’re an All-Star. That’s pretty sweet stuff.”
In any case, Maddon points out the obvious: When all four Cubs take the infield for the game, and when all seven are introduced along the chalk line, it’ll be a huge statement for the organization. This team has arrived, at least in the baseball world. There is still a bigger goal, of course, but there's nothing wrong with a little recognition along the way -- as long as they don’t rest on their laurels.
“It’s a little more special because it’s in San Diego,” Bryant said. “I went to college there for three years. It’s a special place for me.”
It’s hard to imagine Bryant resting on any of his accomplishments after this. On a near-50 home run pace this season, he’s becoming the face of the franchise. Rizzo isn’t too shabby himself, with power numbers that aren't far behind Bryant's team-best 25 home runs and 64 RBIs. And even though some might argue Russell is going to the Midsummer Classic a year or two early, no one can deny his talent: At age 22, he has 11 home runs halfway through the season while playing a grueling position. Yes, the errors and strikeouts are up, but he might drive in 100 runs. Enough said.
While the rest of Chicago's infielders are just getting started on their All-Star paths, 35-year-old Ben Zobrist knows this could be one of the last times he plays in the game after making his only other appearance when Maddon selected him in 2009 while both were with the Tampa Bay Rays.
And then there’s Fowler, who left looking for a job in early February and then came back to the Cubs for less money than they originally offered. It’s extra special for him.
“I worked hard this offseason and endured a lot this offseason, but fortunately I came back here and had the start I did,” Fowler said. “I didn’t know that many people knew who I was. I thank them.”
As for the pitching duo of Lester and Arrieta, they might have struggled recently, but does anyone believe Lester will last only 1 1/3 innings in an October game as he did on Sunday in New York? Arrieta hasn’t been the Arrieta of late 2015 consistently this season, but he still has a no-hitter to his credit. And let's not forget he took off in the second half of last season after not making the All-Star team.
The real irony is all of these Cubs players will have a big say in potentially seizing home-field advantage in a quest for a championship their team hasn’t won in 108 years. Will they be playing next Tuesday’s contest to secure Game 7 at Wrigley Field come October? Cubs fans can dream, can’t they?
“The All-Star Game matters,” Arrieta said. “As much as you want to enjoy your time out there and be relaxed and have fun, there’s still emphasis on winning the ball game. I think the mindset is enjoy the moments leading up to the game, but when the game starts, try to win the game for the National League and give ourselves or whoever is in that situation some advantage.”
