25 fun facts about the 25 Chicago Cubs in the World Series

SI Staff | Oct 25, 2016

25 fun facts about the 25 Chicago Cubs in the World Series /

25 fun facts about the 25 Chicago Cubs in the World Series

Hector Rondon, RHP

Rondon only cost the Cubs $50,000 in the 2012 Rule 5 draft and later replaced Jose Veras as the team's closer before the arrival of Aroldis Chapman.

Aroldis Chapman, LHP

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In his last World Baseball Classic appearance, Chapman took the loss for Cuba. Daisuke Matsuzaka was the winning pitcher for Japan.

Justin Grimm, RHP

Grimm held his wedding reception at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Lombard, Illinois.

Jake Arrieta, RHP

Arrieta is part Puerto Rican. His grandfather was born on the island. Arrieta has competed for the United States internationally and won an Olympic bronze medal from the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Pedro Strop, RHP

Strop played shortstop in the Colorado Rockies minor league system from 2002 to 2005.

John Lackey, RHP

In 2002, as a rookie for the Angels, Lackey became the first rookie starter to win a World Series Game 7 since Babe Adams in 1909.

Mike Montgomery, LHP

Montgomery is one of five players from William S. Hart High School (Santa Clarita, CA) to play in the majors. Trevor Brown, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Glasnow and James Shields are the other alums.

Travis Wood, LHP

At the 2002 Babe Ruth World Series in Connersville, Ind., Wood tossed a no-hitter and struck out 17.

Jon Lester, LHP

Lester was reportedly one of the prospects that the Texas Rangers requested in a potential trade for Alex Rodriguez in 2004 before he was dealt to the New York Yankees.

Kyle Hendricks, RHP

Hall of Famer Rod Carew is a family friend and used to give Hendricks bunting tips.

Carl Edwards Jr., RHP

Edwards Jr. was the 1,464th player selected in the 2011 MLB draft is nicknamed the "String Bean Slinger."

Jorge Soler, outfielder

In 2014, Soler hit a home run in his first at-bat. Starlin Castro was the last Cub to accomplish the feat in his 2010 debut

Miguel Montero, catcher

Montero has caught two no-hitters but he was on the losing end of Anibal Sanchez’s no-no in 2006. Montero made his major league debut in the game and went 0-for-3.

Anthony Rizzo, First baseman

Rizzo says his favorite cheese is Ricotta cheese.

Wilson Contreras, Catcher

Contreras used to split time with Kyle Schwarber at catcher with the Tennessee Smokies.

Addison Russell, Infielder

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Bruce Lee is Addison Russell's idol.

Dexter Fowler, Outfielder

Fowler wears No. 24 because he looked up to Ken Griffey Jr.

Ben Zobrist, Infielder

Zobrist played himself in the 2013 movie "Ring The Bell" alongside John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe.

Kris Bryant, Infielder

Bryant was the salutatorian at Bonanza high school in Las Vegas, Nevada and once said that if baseball doesn’t work out for him, he would like to be a dentist.

Kyle Schwarber, Designated Hitter/Outfielder/Catcher

Schwarber sang in the Middletown High School show choir.

Javier Baez, Infielder

In addition to his famous MLB logo tattoo on the back of his neck, Javier Baez has a rosary tattooed with baseballs instead of beads.

Chris Coghlan

Coghlan is married to former Bachelor contestant Corrie Adamson.

Albert Almora Jr., Outfielder

Almora Jr. got married on a Cubs off-day and was demoted the next day.

David Ross, Catcher

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Hit his first major league career home run off Mark Grace in 2002. Ross and Grace have both pitched at least one inning in their career. Grace has a career ERA of 9.00 thanks to Ross. Ross made his pitching debut with a scoreless inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015.

Jason Heyward, Outfielder

Heyward's uncle, Eugene Washington, played basketball for John Wooden at UCLA.

Published Oct 25, 2016

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