Tears began to fill Willson Contreras’ red-rimmed eyes.
For months the Chicago Cubs All-Star catcher had stored ideas about his future at bay. Free company, the commerce deadline, all of the uncertainties after 13 years with the one big-league group he has identified — these have been issues to fret about later.
He had maintained since spring coaching that he was targeted on the current and taking issues day-by-day, refusing to let his contract state of affairs have an effect on his efficiency or develop into a distraction within the clubhouse. Nothing appeared to faze Contreras till Monday night time.
Loud cheers and a chant of “Willson!” down the left-field line greeted Contreras as he stepped into the batter’s field for his last at-bat within the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 3-2 win in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates. His night time ended securing the strikeout for reliever Scott Effross’ first save. For a second, as Contreras congratulated Effross close to the mound they usually went via the post-win handshake line, it felt like a typical win. “Go Cubs Go” blared for 37,342 followers celebrating the Cubs’ season-high fifth-straight victory.
But with a day sport Tuesday earlier than the staff embarks on a seven-game journey that takes them via the Aug. 2 commerce deadline, Monday night time doubtless represented Contreras’ last begin behind the plate at Wrigley Field as a Cub.
“It’s been a tough couple days for me,” Contreras mentioned afterward. “I’m making an attempt to understand every part Wrigley Field is, interested by all of the reminiscences that I’ve right here since 2016. … This might be my final homestand with the followers this yr. It’s powerful for me.
“I knew it would get to me at some point. I wish this day never came. But it’s a business. I know that. I respect that.”
Contreras paused as he began to choke up.
“And I love my team,” he continued. “I love my teammates most and I don’t want to get too attached because you never know what’s going to happen next week or even this week in San Francisco. It’s been a tough, tough couple of days for me.”
Hours earlier, outfielder Ian Happ addressed his personal unknowns and future with the group, maybe quickly becoming a member of the notable roster departures throughout the final three years.
“It’s crazy to think you could wake up one day and not be here,” Happ mentioned. “It’s part of the game. It’s part of what we sign up to do.”
The approach Contreras let his feelings present via his play is a part of what makes him nice. Manager David Ross has witnessed Contreras’ evolution from his debut in 2016 via the larger position he seized this yr.
“He’s a special player. He’s a special man, and he’s done special things here,” Ross mentioned. “And to watch him continue to get better, not just as a player but also as a teammate and as a leader, those qualities have come out.”
Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo memorably didn’t play within the Cubs’ last residence sport earlier than the commerce deadline final yr. Rizzo was dealt by the point the staff left for the airport that day. Bryant had his helmet on and was making ready to pinch hit when the sport ended, one last loss at Wrigley.
Ross was amused Monday on the concept of a conspiracy to maintain the duo out of the lineup a day earlier than the deadline, as an alternative noting it was “super organic” as a result of one requested for the day without work whereas the opposite had an off day.
Contreras’ anticipated last chapter at Wrigley with the Cubs ought to function him within the lineup Tuesday because the designated hitter. Expect one other emotional day for one of many franchise’s most embellished catchers.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com