May 5, 2017

 CSNChicago.com, Javier Baez Breaks Water Gun For Jr. After Another Comeback Win For Cubs http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/javier-baez-breaks-out-water-gun-albert-almora-jr-after-another- comeback-win-cubs

 CSNChicago.com, Cubs Will Welcome Back To Wrigley Field With World Ring http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-will-welcome-aroldis-chapman-back-wrigley-field-world- series-ring

 CSNChicago.com, What ’s Return To Wrigley Field Means For Cubs And Yankees http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/what-starlin-castros-return-wrigley-field-means-cubs-and-yankees

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs give up lead, scramble back to tie and then win on in 13th http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-phillies-spt-0505-20170504-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, There's some role reversal for Cubs and Yankees this weekend http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-sullivan-cubs-yankees-build-rebuild-spt-0505- 20170504-column.html

 Chicago Tribune, baffled by 's struggles during stint with Cubs http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-adam-warren-yankees-20170505- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Starlin Castro happy for Cubs and for himself fitting in with Yankees http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/ct-starlin-castro-yankees-spt-0505-20170504-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, First has been the worst for Cubs so far http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-first-inning-woes-cubs-spt-0507-20170504- story.html#nt=oft03a-1la1

 Chicago Tribune, Game-ending error from sure-handed 'shocked' Phillies http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-freddy-galvis-error-cubs-phillies-20170504- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs' keeps eye on MLB potentially coming to Las Vegas http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kris-bryant-las-vegas-notes-cubs-spt-0505- 20170504-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon on former Cub Starlin Castro: 'He was a great teammate here' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-starlin-castro-20170504- story.html

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cardiac Cubs’ penchant for comebacks could be hard on ticker tape http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cardiac-cubs-penchant-for-comebacks-could-be-hard-on-ticker-tape/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Yanks’ Castro: ‘Tough’ not to be part of title but happy for city http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/yanks-castro-tough-not-to-be-part-of-title-but-happy-for-city/

 Chicago Sun-Times, scoffs at hangover talk, says rotation on brink of http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jon-lester-scoffs-at-hangover-talk-says-rotation-on-brink-of-run/

 Daily Herald, Cubs welcome back familiar faces as Yankees come to town http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170504/cubs-welcome-back-familiar-faces-as-yankees-come-to-town

 Daily Herald, Wrigley Field renovations win over former Cubs exec MacPhail http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170504/wrigley-field-renovations-win-over-former-cubs-exec-macphail

 Daily Herald, Almora propels Cubs to wild walkoff win over Phillies http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170504/almora-propels-cubs-to-wild-walkoff-win-over-phillies

 Cubs.com, Cubs to face Yanks, Chapman at Wrigley http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228373008/yanks-cubs-begin-series-at-wrigley-on-friday/

 Cubs.com, Cubs walk off on Phillies' 13th-inning error http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228117074/cubs-walk-off-on-phillies-13th-inning-error/

 Cubs.com, Almora exemplifies 'never quit' attitude in win http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228287286/albert-almora-jr-key-to-cubs-win-over-phils/

 Cubs.com, Cubs to pay tribute to Castro when Yanks visit http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228287282/starlin-castro-set-for-return-to-wrigley-field/

 Cubs.com, All's well that ends well for Cubs, closers http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228366326/alls-well-for-cubs-yankees-chapman-davis/

 Cubs.com, Maddon: 'You feel good' when Davis enters http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228287284/joe-maddon-on-wade-davis-early-performance/

 ESPNChicago.com, From face of the Cubs to facing the Cubs, Starlin Castro returns to Wrigley http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44013/from-face-of-the-cubs-to-facing-the-cubs-starlin- castro-returns-to-wrigley

 ESPNChicago.com, is finding his comfort zone http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44025/miguel-montero-is-finding-his-comfort-zone

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CSNChicago.com Javier Baez Breaks Out Water Gun For Albert Almora Jr. After Another Comeback Win For Cubs By Patrick Mooney

Javier Baez ran out to the middle of Wrigley Field with a neon-colored Super Soaker, spraying Albert Almora Jr. and the camera capturing the celebration after Thursday's 5-4 walk-off win over the , the drops of water dotting the big video board.

If the Cubs felt a little delirious, well, this imperfect 13-inning game lasted four hours and 22 minutes and marked their 10th come-from-behind victory already this season.

"I was looking to do something different," Baez said. "I had it ready since the ninth inning. It took a little bit, but I finally got to use it."

Baez brought a Party Room tradition out from the underground clubhouse and into the open, targeting Almora as a player of the game for his hustle leading off the 13th and scoring when Phillies Freddy Galvis threw away a potential inning-ending double-play ball. Ping-pong-style games and water guns are part of The Cubs Way.

"We got like four of 'em and we got some buckets to celebrate when we win," Baez said. "Sometimes we get the staff, so they know they're doing a great job."

This can’t be easy for the defending champs, giving up 35 runs in the first inning so far this season, playing from behind so often and navigating 11 one-run games already. The Cubs are still a first-place team with a 16-12 record and all that muscle memory built up from six playoff rounds across the last two seasons.

"Maybe the baseball gods are on our side," Kris Bryant said. "We would prefer not to have to come back. But if we're going to be put in that situation, we have a good group of players that work counts when the game is on the line.

"Last year, we just went out and we it seemed like the whole year. We scored a ton of runs. Our pitchers shut everybody down, so the games weren't as stressful. But it's not going to be like that. That's kind of fairytale land."

The Cubs are going to have to tighten up their game on Friday against a lineup where Starlin Castro is hitting like a champion and Aaron Judge is looking like a king. That late-inning drama will be harder to manufacture against a deep, dynamic headlined by Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances.

Almora set the stage for another weekend on national TV after had a five-inning start where his ERA crept up to 5.14. And got picked off second base in the ninth inning (Bryant lined a harmless into left field moments later). And grounded into a 6-9-3 against Philadelphia’s five-man to waste a bases-loaded opportunity, ending the 12th inning.

Even if the Cubs aren't clicking on all cylinders, backup Miguel Montero lifted Joaquin Benoit's 96-mph into the center-field basket for a game-tying homer in the eighth inning. The Cubs stayed in the picture with lefty Mike Montgomery working the 10th, 11th and 12th . The contributions are still coming from all over the roster.

Almora – who showed so much poise as a rookie last season – said he didn’t even notice that Ty Kelly was slow to grab the ball and gather himself because his instincts screamed double in the 13th inning.

"We never quit," Almora said. "It's on the World Series ring."

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CSNChicago.com Cubs Will Welcome Aroldis Chapman Back To Wrigley Field With World Series Ring By Patrick Mooney

The Cubs had a great team, a championship drought that lasted more than a century, a robust farm system and a delirious fan base. President of baseball operations framed the question like this: If not now, when?

The Cubs had World Series rings in mind when they made the blockbuster Aroldis Chapman last summer, and the superstar closer for the New York Yankees will get his during Friday’s pregame ceremony at Wrigley Field.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said manager Joe Maddon, who will be part of the presentation.

The Cubs always viewed Chapman as a rental player and never had any interest in the kind of five-year, $86 million megadeal the Yankees put together. During the December conference call to formally announce that record- setting contract for a closer, Chapman said through a translator that Maddon misused him during the World Series, when he threw 97 pitches in Games 5, 6 and 7 combined.

Maddon and Chapman did reconnect during the team’s January visit to the White House, and the manager has taken the high road whenever asked about those comments. Hearing Rage Against the Machine’s “Wake Up” and looking up at the video board for the -digit velocity readings became part of the Wrigleyville experience during that playoff push.

In what will likely be a private ceremony, the Cubs will also give a championship ring to Adam Warren, the swingman who got packaged with elite prospect in that 4-for-1 trade for Chapman last summer. Warren — who got lost in the shuffle after the Starlin Castro trade — has posted a 0.63 ERA through 14-plus innings out of a Yankee bullpen that revolves around Chapman.

Without that 100-mph fastball, it’s hard to see the Cubs surviving three playoff rounds last year.

“I couldn’t have come away after that World Series more impressed with an individual because of what he brought to us,” pitching said. “Being able to go out there and do that is a testament to his conditioning. This guy posted up, and he came up with some big outs.”

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CSNChicago.com What Starlin Castro’s Return To Wrigley Field Means For Cubs And Yankees By Patrick Mooney

Once upon a time, the Cubs put Starlin Castro on a billboard opposite , using the New York Yankees to sell tickets to Wrigley Field during the 2011 season that would lead to a franchise reckoning.

In this upside-down world, the Cubs are now the rock-star team, box-office attraction and TV draw wherever they go, while the Yankees are now trying to copy elements from the defending World Series champs, getting younger, more athletic and building toward the future instead of throwing money at every problem.

Deep down on some level, this bothered Castro, who felt like he missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after taking a lot of heat for five fifth-place teams on the North Side. Trading Castro to the Yankees during the 2015 winter meetings allowed the Cubs to sign World Series MVP Ben Zobrist and “Embrace The Target.”

But at some point on Friday, the Wrigley Field sound system will blast “Ando En La Versace,” Castro’s walk-up song during that leap forward in 2015, when the Cubs won 97 games and two playoff rounds and the fans started rhythmically clapping for a lightning-rod player.

Still only 27 years old, a streaky hitter with great hand-eye coordination might finally be putting it all together. Castro is batting .362 with five homers and a .945 OPS and on pace for his fourth All-Star selection, helping lift the Yankees back into first place in the East and maybe accelerate their rebuilding plan.

“He was a great teammate here,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He was not an excuse-maker. When anything went poorly, he stood tall, I thought. You got to like everything about him, so I’m very happy for his success. I’m looking forward to saying hello to him.”

Maddon remembered Castro sitting across from him in the manager’s office in the old Wrigley Field clubhouse when the Cubs decided to move to shortstop in August 2015. Instead of an awkward conversation that could have disrupted the team, Castro reacted to the news like a professional, transitioned to second base and finally experienced playoff baseball in Chicago.

“He didn’t blanch,” Maddon said. “He didn’t make an excuse. He didn’t cry. He didn’t scream: ‘What are you doing?’ Nothing. I said, ‘Listen, you’re not going to play for a couple days. I’m not quite sure how we’re going to get this working again. I want you to start working out at second base.’ Not a whimper.

“It was outstanding on his part. And he’s taken it and he’s run with it – literally – to the point now where he’s in a really good position with a very good ballclub. I know he can handle the big lights in New York.”

Castro might be one of the few players who could find The Bronx to be a less-intense environment, or at least a place where he could blend into the background more. Friday’s tribute to Castro will be a reminder of how good this generation of young Cubs has it – and why a stable big-market franchise can think about a Yankee-level dynasty.

Between his age-20 debut in 2010 and the 2015 Championship Series, Castro played for Lou Piniella, Mike Quade, Dale Sveum, and Maddon. During that time, Castro worked with at least seven hitting coaches – Rudy Jaramillo, , Rob Deer, Bill Mueller, Mike Brumley, and – plus a manager with a strong offensive philosophy (Sveum) and Theo Epstein’s front office trying to implement a Cubs Way approach.

“It’s difficult for an organization – period – when you’re constantly changing things over like that,” Maddon said. “When you do the philosophy changes annually, it’s really a lot of mixed messages that occur. So a young guy like that, probably his best resource there was that he was so good that he was kind of immune to all this in some ways.

“I know the perception. Different people view things differently and maybe some of it was deserved. I’m not sure. But they had gotten on Starlin a little bit about different items.

“Again, my experience was that he was outstanding when we were together here. But it’s not easy, man, when you’re constantly changing coaches, managers. That kind of stuff is very unsettling for the group.”

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Chicago Tribune Cubs give up lead, scramble back to tie and then win on error in 13th By Mark Gonzales

After watching Carl Edwards Jr. allow his first run of the season on a go-ahead home run Thursday, the Cubs got some timely relief when they capitalized on shortstop Freddy Galvis' throwing error for a 5-4 victory over the Phillies in 13 innings.

Javier Baez sprayed teammates with a water gun to lead the postgame celebration on the field after the Cubs overcame a deficit for the 10th time this season.

"It's not ideal," Miguel Montero said. "We know what we can do. We know we can actually score some runs. We have done it and it's a good feeling, but we have to step it up a little bit more and get the lead early so we take stress off our pitchers.

The Cubs did take a 2-0 lead early but allowed the Phillies back in the game. After Edwards gave up a home run to Cameron Rupp in the eighth for a 4-3 deficit, Montero's homer in the bottom of the inning tied the score.

"It's a good feeling when you have confidence," Montero said. "We know we can come back and we never quit — that's our team. We have been saying that for years and proving it."

The Cubs used seven relievers, so pressure has been placed on to deep into Friday's series opener against the Yankees. Closer Wade Davis pitched for the third consecutive day, reliever Koji Uehara pitched in back-to-back games for the third time this season and left-hander Mike Montgomery threw three innings and 45 pitches of scoreless relief.

But the Cubs (16-12) were collectively giddy, especially after Albert Almora Jr. started the winning rally when he legged out a double down the left-field line leading off the 13th.

"It's the 13th inning, (so) I have to get to second base," Almora said. "I don't want to stay on first. What happens if I don't (make it)? It's one out, and we still have guys who can hit it out."

One out later, speedy Matt Szczur hit a grounder to second, but Galvis' throw on his attempt to complete a double play sailed wide of first. Almora came home and a wild celebration ensued.

"We never quit," Almora said of the Cubs' motto. "It's on the World Series rings, and it really makes a lot of sense. It's in our organization."

If Almora hasn't scored on Galvis error and the game went past a 14th inning, manager Joe Maddon was going to turn to starter Brett Anderson.

"We're still asking people to take one step forward and see what we have," said Maddon, who also would prefer to avoid using Edwards on Friday.

Maddon hasn't been shy about starting Montero, 33, in consecutive games. Montero is batting .536 with three home runs in his last 11 games.

"It was an amazing basket (homer) when I hit it," said Montero, who prefers that the wind blows in only when he's catching. "I hit it good. I honestly never thought I had a chance to hit it out, but I got lucky."

And the Cubs will take those breaks. They gave the Phillies two as Jon Jay was picked off after leading off the first inning with a single and Ben Zobrist was caught off second while representing the winning run in the ninth.

Those miscues were offset when and third baseman Kris Bryant started line-drive double plays in the sixth and 12th, respectively.

"It was a really interesting game," Maddon said.

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Chicago Tribune There's some role reversal for Cubs and Yankees this weekend By Paul Sullivan

It's a scenario unprecedented in baseball history, something no one would have predicted only a few short years ago.

The Cubs are looking to repeat, while the Yankees in a pseudo-rebuilding mode.

Yes, the baseball world has been turned on its head, and nothing may ever be the same.

The last time the Cubs won it all before 2016, back in 1908, the Yankees were called the Highlanders. The last time the Yankees looked to their farm system instead of throwing tons of money at their problems was … well, before the turn of the century.

But as the Yankees march on Wrigley Field this weekend in a perfect-for-summer-TV interleague series that inexplicably was scheduled in early May, they bring one of the best records in the majors, along with the game's hottest player in rookie slugger Aaron Judge.

The Yankees' success may be a surprise to many, though it's no surprise to the Yankees themselves.

"I don't think (it is) for us in the clubhouse, because we do have expectations," manager said. "Sometimes people look at your club and look at some of the inexperience and maybe the way you played the year before, and they're going to say, 'Well, we expect them to win this many games.' We don't think like that. We have high expectations."

Yankees general manager , who calls it a "transition" instead of a traditional rebuild, has been able to have his cake and eat it too. He dealt away elite veterans such as Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Brian McCann last year, netting talented prospects in shortstop Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier and pitchers Justus Sheffield and Albert Abreu.

Like the Brewers, Phillies or Braves, Cashman was stocking the farm system for the future.

But then Cashman signed Chapman back for $86 million, giving the Yankees the best one-two punch in the late innings, along with Dellin Betances. Former Cub Starlin Castro has returned to form offensively, Chase Headley is off to a great start and things are starting to happen.

Catcher Gary Sanchez was supposed to be the new face of the Yankees, but thanks to an injury, Judge has usurped him in that role. The rookie outfielder with the Frank Howard build is leading the American League in home runs (13), slugging percentage (.818) and jaw-dropping moments.

Asked on Wednesday the last time he was this hot, Judge replied: "Maybe in tee-ball."

Judge and Kris Bryant will be center stage for three national TV networks, which will televise all three games this weekend.

But Cubs fans may be more focused on the homecomings of Castro and Chapman.

Castro was laughing last week in Boston about Anthony Rizzo stealing his catchy clap-along, walk-up song, the one Castro used at Wrigley Field during the 2015 stretch run.

Maybe Rizzo will give it back this weekend?

"You think so?" Castro asked.

Rizzo wouldn't say. Stay tuned.

Castro should receive a huge ovation from Cubs fans who appreciated his work ethic when he was one of the few bright spots in the organization during the dark ages from 2010-14.

The Cubs marketing department did Castro no favors in 2011 when their season-ticket campaign featured billboards subtly comparing Castro with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a sure Hall of Famer.

Chapman will receive his World Series ring on Friday, and bringing his 103 mph fastball back to Wrigley. He was merely a summer and fall rental who cost the Cubs a potential future star in Torres, and everyone knew he was leaving afterward.

In his last appearance as a Cub, Chapman served up the game-tying home run to Rajai Davis in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, briefly putting the city in panic mode. But he survived, and so did the Cubs.

Is all forgiven?

After signing with the Yankees, Chapman threw manager Joe Maddon under the bus for "abusing" his arm with the World Series workload. Maddon hasn't ripped Chapman since the comment, so if he's not miffed, no one else should care.

Girardi, the former Cubs catcher, also returns with a big question mark hovering over him. Could he have been the man to end the Cubs' famous championship drought?

Remember Girardi was the Cubs' choice to replace Dale Sveum after Sveum was fired in 2013, but instead signed a four-year extension with the Yankees and the Cubs turned to Rick Renteria.

If Girardi had come to Chicago they certainly wouldn't have fired him for Maddon after only one year, as they did Renteria. Girardi later said talks with the Cubs never went anywhere.

"I know there are a lot of ties still in Chicago (for me), but my family is ingrained (in New York)," he said during his last visit to Wrigley.

Girardi said back then he would not shut the door on managing the Cubs down the road, but obviously Maddon is not going anywhere any time soon.

With Maddon vs. Girardi, Judge vs. Bryant and the return of Chapman and Castro, there should be more than enough drama to satiate the TV networks.

Don't blink.

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Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon baffled by Adam Warren's struggles during stint with Cubs By Mark Gonzales

Joe Maddon usually can provide a lengthy evaluation of a player, but the Cubs manager and former scout was at a loss of words to describe why Adam Warren struggled during his four-month stint in Chicago.

“I really don’t (know),” Maddon said of Warren, who has regained his past success with the New York Yankees. “I was a huge fan when working against him with the Rays. I thought he was spectacular. I don’t know 100 percent why. He could never get his feet on the ground. He gets back there, and all of a sudden he does better. His numbers this year are good.”

Warren, who was traded to the Cubs in December 2015 in a deal for Starlin Castro, had a 5.91 ERA in 29 appearances before he was dealt back to the Yankees last July in a blockbuster trade involving Aroldis Chapman.

Warren had a 3.26 ERA in 29 appearances with the Yankees in the final two months of 2016 and has allowed only one earned run while striking out 14 in 14 1/3 innings covering eight appearances this season.

A reunion with pitching coach Larry Rothschild has helped Warren.

“I got my back,” Warren said last week in Boston. “I lost it last year. It was too flat. There was a certain confidence to come. Maybe I lost my identity. I was here (with the Yankees) for so long, the knew me, and then I went somewhere else. You try to figure out who you are and describe how to pitch, and I had a hard time figuring out my identity.

“I think I learned a ton last year about what my strengths are, and I got away from my slider and pitching up in the zone. I came back and Larry said, 'What are you doing? This is what you’re good at.' "

Warren takes pride in being flexible but admitted it was tough to get regular work with the Cubs because the starters pitched deep into games.

“I’d hate to use that as an excuse,” Warren said. “It was more just getting away from my strengths.”

Warren said he watched more of the than any other of the Fall Classics and was extremely happy for his former teammates.

“Knowing them, knowing the goals they set, I couldn’t be more happy cheering them on,” Warren said.

It’s expected that Warren will participate in Friday’s pregame ring ceremony with Chapman, if asked by the Cubs. He was flattered to be asked for his ring size this winter.

“To be included in any of that would be special,” Warren said. “Their ring ceremony (last month) was very classy and neat.”

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Chicago Tribune Starlin Castro happy for Cubs and for himself fitting in with Yankees By Mark Gonzales

Starlin Castro suffered plenty of growing pains as a player and as a member of the Cubs during their massive rebuilding program.

Even as a Yankee, Castro experienced an array of emotions as his former teammates won the franchise's first World Series since 1908.

"I watched all of it (on television)," Castro said last Thursday at Fenway Park, where he was enjoying an impressive start to his second season with the Yankees after the Cubs traded him to make room for free agent Ben Zobrist. "It was fun for all the guys. I felt a little shy because right when I left, they won.

"But I was very happy for my former teammates and the city of Chicago. But the most fun for me was the last year I was there (in 2015) when we made the playoffs. That moment, I'll never forget. We won a lot of games, and I played in the playoffs for the first time."

Castro, 27, returns to Wrigley Field this weekend as an instrumental part of a powerful Yankees lineup that had them leading the entering Thursday.

In addition to his five home runs, Castro's .402 on-base percentage and .362 batting average are remarkable improvements over his final season with the Cubs in 2015, when he regressed somewhat as Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and were blossoming. Castro lost his starting shortstop job to Russell with two months left in the regular season but eventually took over at second base to finish the year.

Despite his mercurial six seasons with the Cubs that included three National League All-Star selections, incidents involving his lapses in concentration and eventually losing his starting shortstop job, Castro is expected to receive an overwhelming and warm ovation during introductions Friday.

That's largely because of the loyal fans who saw flashes of his brilliance during the organization's trying times, his desire to play every game and his willingness to play second base and excel there after giving way to Russell.

"I know some things were said about him before I was here when I was younger, but I never saw any inkling of that," said Kyle Hendricks, who joined the Cubs in the middle of the 2014 season when Castro earned his third NL All-Star selection. "I thought he always came ready to play and gave it his all. One of the reasons we started winning was because of him, his attitude and he wanted to win with (Anthony Rizzo).

"He was always accountable. Even when he would screw up, he would take it upon himself. He would say, 'My bad. I screwed up.' That's what you're looking for, a good teammate. Guys who have accountability but also they want to play every day. 'Star' loved playing the game. Regardless of what you saw early on, when he was younger. He wanted to play every day."

With the Yankees, Castro is in a situation similar to the environment he left with the Cubs. The Yankees have emerged as an early leader in the AL East thanks to the youthful contributions of sluggers Aaron Judge and Greg Bird (currently on the 10-day disabled list) and .

"It's unbelievable watching Judge all the time," Castro said of the 6-foot-7 Judge, who hit 13 home runs with 27 RBIs in his first 25 games with a slugging percentage of .818. "I've never seen a guy hit the ball like that."

Meanwhile, Castro has settled in nicely playing second base. This season he has hit four of his five home runs at Yankee Stadium, where he's batting .407.

"Like I say, there's nothing better than home, and New York is a great place to play," Castro said.

Castro's success suggested his trade from the Cubs came at the right time.

"There were a lot of things going on," Castro said. "I don't put those thoughts in my mind, but it's a better decision for me, and better for the team. If it makes me better in my career, why not?

"It was tough right when we left the team that gave you the opportunity to be a player and be in the big leagues and be in Chicago. (But) I feel good now."

Castro will receive a tribute before Friday's game with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Fellow former Cubs Aroldis Chapman and Adam Warren will receive their World Series rings from President Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon.

And Castro's old teammates will welcome him with open arms.

"During the rebuild, he taught me a lot," Rizzo said. "He played hard and played every day.

"He was here for a while and part of this two-year run. But I'm sure he was pulling for us. I'm sure it would have been great for him to be a part of it, too, but I think a little part of him was."

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Chicago Tribune First has been the worst inning for Cubs pitchers so far By Paul Skrbina

Big innings in the beginnings haven't been the end of the world for the defending World Series champions.

But first-inning holes haven't helped the Cubs, either.

Through Thursday, the team's starters had allowed 35 runs — 33 earned — in the first this year.

That left the first-place Cubs in last place — 30th of 30 teams — with a first-inning ERA of 10.61. That translates to 1.30 runs per first inning. At 1.11, the Mets were the only other major league team allowing more than one run in the first.

By contrast, the 2016 version of the Cubs permitted 0.41 runs per first inning, fifth in baseball.

Cubs starters, who led the majors with a 2.96 ERA last season, had a collective 4.68 ERA after Thursday's games, which put them 25th overall.

The numbers don't lie, but they can be deceiving, according to some Cubs.

Take , whose first-inning ERA ballooned to a staff-worst 15.00 after he allowed the Pirates two runs Wednesday.

"Putting up a zero in the first is a way as a starter to set the tone for the game," the 2015 National League Cy Young winner said. "When you give up first-inning runs, it's not ideal. It has happened to several of us this year, but I don't think it's going to be a consistent theme throughout the year."

Arrieta's estimation of "several" sells the team's first-inning troubles short. The right-hander didn't allow a first- inning run during his first three starts, but has allowed 11 during his last three.

Since April 17, the Cubs had allowed at least one first-inning run in all but four of their 16 games entering Friday.

Every starter, save for Jon Lester, had a first-inning ERA of at least 9.00 (that would be John Lackey). Baseball's ERA leader last season, Kyle Hendricks, was at 10.80 through Thursday. Brett Anderson's 14.40 barely trails Arrieta.

Arrieta's first-inning numbers become more eye-popping upon closer examination: a .387 batting average against, a 1.231 OPS against and a .529 batting average of balls put in play against him, all team lows.

Arrieta allowed just one more run during the next five innings Wednesday, and the Cubs are 4-2 in his starts. Still, the recent trend puzzles him a bit.

"Sometimes that's just the game of baseball, rearing its head and letting you know anything is possible," he said. "Once you think you have it figured out, you can get bit in the ass."

Figuring out the first-inning mystery has proven fruitless for Cubs manager Joe Maddon, too. So he has stopped trying, saying he has no concerns and calling it "one of those things."

For Maddon, it's less about how his pitchers start and more about how his team finishes.

"There's nothing you really can do or say. Warm up differently?" Maddon said. "I've heard guys with all these crazy analytical methods to help a pitcher having a tough beginning — be out there longer, throw harder, throw more pitches, throw less. I don't know. Just stay with your routine and it's going to come back."

Arrieta agreed with Maddon's assessment that the Cubs should be happy with their 16-12 record given the starters' struggles. Both said they expect the numbers to even out over the course of the season.

The good news about allowing first-inning runs? Teams still have eight or nine innings to up, which the Cubs did Wednesday for the sixth time this season after allowing a first-inning run.

After Odubel Herrera's RBI double with two out in the first Wednesday scored for a 2-0 Phillies lead, the Cubs' win expectancy dropped 30 percent, from 52.2 at the start of the inning to 32.2.

But that number jumped to 83.4 percent when Matt Szczur's pinch-hit single scored Willson Contreras for a 5-3 Cubs lead in the sixth.

The Cubs didn't allowed a first-inning run Thursday, but came back to win 5-4 against the Phillies, the team's 10th come-from-behind victory of their 16.

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Chicago Tribune Game-ending error from sure-handed Freddy Galvis 'shocked' Phillies manager By Teddy Greenstein

Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis didn’t need to try to turn two in the 13th inning Thursday. A hustling Matt Szczur would have beaten his throw.

But the Cubs are grateful that he did.

Galvis’ fling sailed well wide of first. As it skipped into foul territory, Albert Almora Jr. scored the game-winning run from second base.

“I know Freddy feels terrible about it,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “He’s so good that when he makes an error, I’m shocked. But he’s human.”

Mackanin also said he’s glad that Galvis tried to turn two to end the inning.

“Of course,” he replied. “He might not have had him, but that’s pretty basic.”

Galvis had his right hand in a wrap after the game. But the normally sure-handed shortstop (eight errors in 156 games last season) said that was no excuse — nor were Thursday’s chilly conditions.

“Everybody has to play in cold weather,” he said. “It’s really frustrating. I made two mistakes and we lost the game. Of course I feel bad. I want to win every single game.

“It’s a speedy guy at home plate. I tried to make the out. Just threw it out of target.”

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Chicago Tribune Cubs' Kris Bryant keeps eye on MLB potentially coming to Las Vegas By Mark Gonzales

Kris Bryant is excited that professional hockey and football are coming to his hometown of Las Vegas.

But the Cubs' slugger had an amusing reply as to whether baseball would be successful there.

"I don't know," Bryant said Thursday before collecting four hits in the Cubs' 5-4 victory over the Phillies in 13 innings. "Baseball would be hard because it's so hot. There would have to be a dome. It's super hot in Vegas.

"But if it was (there), I would love it."

Bryant, who is under contract control with the Cubs through 2021, then smiled as he elaborated.

"Obviously I'm here, but it would be pretty cool to play at home in my hometown and stay at home," Bryant laughed. "For now, just have to keep hoping for it."

Bryant admits to not being a "super fan" but is happy that he will have professional teams to support. The Vegas Golden Knights start play in the NHL this fall and the Raiders will move from Oakland for the 2020 season.

"Being here now, I'm watching more of the Chicago teams and becoming a fan of theirs," Bryant said. "Hockey is a really fun sport to watch in person. You have a better appreciation for exactly what they do and all the substitutions they have to make and how quick they are."

Return of the curve? It's expected that Kyle Hendricks will throw his curve more Friday against the Yankees than he did in his last start against the Red Sox.

"It really wasn't in the game plan," said Hendricks, who relied mostly on and to limit the Red Sox to two runs in six innings Sunday. "The shape (on the curve) did start to get better after (Andrew) Benintendi hit one hard.

"Willy (Contreras) started calling for it more often, even to lefties."

Hendricks said he may start to throw curves earlier in counts and to change the eye levels of hitters.

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Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon on former Cub Starlin Castro: 'He was a great teammate here' By Mark Gonzales

Starlin Castro will not receive a 2016 World Series ring, but the former three-time National League All-Star shortstop will be honored before Friday's game against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field.

And Joe Maddon, who took away Castro's starting shortstop position with two months left in the 2015 regular season, expressed his appreciation for Castro's professionalism and current success with the Yankees.

"He was very big," Maddon recalled Thursday. "That permitted Addison (Russell) to become the shortstop. I remember talking to him in the manager’s office, sitting across from me. He didn’t blanche. He didn’t make an excuse. He didn’t cry or scream or say, ‘what are you doing?’

"I told him 'you’re not going to play for a couple days. I’m not quite sure how we’re going to get this quite working again. I want you to start working out at second base.'"

Maddon said described Castro's handling of the situation as "outstanding," adding that he was pleased that his former infielder can handle "the big lights in New York."

Maddon observed Castro hustling to avoid a double play that enabled the Yankees to rally to a recent victory.

"He was a great teammate here," Maddon said. "I really thought I had a great relationship with him. I really enjoyed him. He was not an excuse maker. When anything went poorly, he stood tall, I thought."

Castro's three All-Star seasons were tempered by struggles and lapses in concentration. Maddon concurred with a reporter's theory that playing for five managers could have confused Castro.

"It’s difficult for an organization when you’re changing things over like that," Maddon said. "Because when you do, the philosophy changes annually. And it’s really a lot of mixed messages that occur. A young guy like that, his best resource was that he was so good, that he was immune to it in some ways.

"However, I know different perceptions, different people view things differently and maybe some of it was deserved. I’m not sure. But they had gotten on Starlin about different items, but my experience was that he was outstanding when I was there, we were together here."

Closer Aroldis Chapman, who joined the Cubs in late July before returning to the Yankees as a free agent, will receive his World Series ring in a pregame ceremony with President Theo Epstein and Maddon attending.

Reliever Adam Warren, whom the Cubs traded as part of a package deal to acquire Chapman, also will receive a World Series ring.

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Chicago Sun-Times Cardiac Cubs’ penchant for comebacks could be hard on ticker tape By Gordon Wittenmyer

When Albert Almora Jr. scored the winning run Thursday on a throwing error in the 13th inning, the Cubs had their 10th come-from-behind victory already this season.

At this rate, they’ll be breaking records by July. And breaking down from exhaustion by August.

“It’s not ideal,” said catcher Miguel Montero, whose homer in the eighth inning into the basket in center field tied the game the Cubs eventually won 5-4 over the Phillies.

“It’s a good feeling to know we can [come back], but we have to maybe step it up a little bit more and maybe get the lead early in the game and go from there, so we take a little bit of stress off our pitchers.”

They might want to start Friday, when the Yankees, who boast one of the best in baseball, open a three- game series at Wrigley.

The back end of the Yanks’ bullpen includes Dellin Betances (0.93 ERA), Tyler Clippard (1.54) and onetime Cub Aroldis Chapman (0.87). Another onetime Cub, Adam Warren, has an ERA of 0.63 in a team-leading 14„ relief innings.

“You don’t want to try to beat that bullpen,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

They’ve had little choice but to try to beat bullpens in most of their games after trailing in all but six of their first 28.

When starter John Lackey struck out Maikel Franco to end the first inning, stranding Odubel Herrera at second base, it was only the fourth time in the last 16 games a Cub had pitched a scoreless first inning.

“Maybe the baseball gods are on our side, but we would prefer not to have to come back,” said Kris Bryant, whose fourth hit of the game, in the ninth, missed becoming the game-winner because Ben Zobrist was picked off second base a moment earlier.

“You’d like to look at last year, when we . . . scored a ton of runs, and our pitchers shut everybody down. So the games were not as stressful. But it’s not going to be like that. That’s kind of fairy-tale land there.”

The Cubs’ 25-6 start to their 103-win season last year is not only an aberration; it’s also a distant, faded memory more than a month into this year’s title-defense reality.

Even teams such as the Phillies and Brewers have looked improved in early games against the Cubs. Their next two opponents — the Yanks and Rockies — lead their divisions.

And the Cubs still are waiting for their starting pitching and overall fielding to reach track-record levels.

“It’d be nice not to have to battle,” Bryant said, “but it builds character and gives us that confidence, just knowing that anytime we’re in that situation, it can happen.”

Notes: Manager Joe Maddon said he was out of relievers he was willing to use by the time the game ended. He had checked in with Saturday’s scheduled starter, Brett Anderson, for possible use.

Aroldis Chapman is expected to receive his World Series ring in a pregame ceremony Friday. Adam Warren, who was traded back to the Yankees in the July 25 deal for Chapman, is expected to receive his privately this weekend.

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Chicago Sun-Times Yanks’ Castro: ‘Tough’ not to be part of title but happy for city By Gordon Wittenmyer

If Starlin Castro has mixed emotions about his return to Wrigley Field just six months after the Cubs won the World Series without him, nobody could blame him.

But he sounds excited about his return Friday, even eager to watch Yankees teammate Aroldis Chapman, who spent all of four months as a Cub, get a World Series ring from Theo Epstein in a pregame ceremony.

“I’m going to watch it, and I think I’m going to have fun doing it,” said Castro, whose .362 batting average ranks second in the American League as his AL East-leading Yankees open the three-game interleague series. “It’s fun to see this guy getting a ring, especially [good friend] Chapman, to get to be a part of that.”

If baseball and life were fair, the one getting the ring would be Castro, a three-time All-Star by 25, who at one point was considered a young cornerstone equal to Anthony Rizzo in the Cubs’ rebuilding process.

But after playing for five managers in six years as a Cub, working with seven hitting coaches in that span and getting sent to second base in the summer of 2015 to make room for rookie Addison Russell at short, Castro was traded to New York after that season to make room for the Cubs to sign Ben Zobrist.

Then, of course, the Cubs finally won the title Castro and Rizzo had talked about winning together.

“It’s a little bit tough,” Castro said of watching that epic postseason run to the historic Game 7 in Cleveland without being a part of it. “But at the same time, I feel happy for the city and happy for the team. Happening right when I left, it’s a little tough, but I’m still happy because the city and the team, they needed that.”

That’s the kind of high road Castro took throughout his Cubs career, whether responding to critics, dealing with management instability or dealing with constant efforts to tinker with his swing.

“He was a great teammate,” said manager Joe Maddon, who often praised Castro for the way he handled the move from shortstop to second base.

Castro became one of the Cubs’ best performers down the stretch in what turned into a breakthrough playoff season for the team.

“He never made an excuse, man,” Maddon said. “You’ve got to like everything about him.”

That 2015 season is what Castro treasures most about his time with the Cubs.

“That was my first time in the playoffs, and it was fun, playing in the wild-card game and winning, then beating the Cardinals,” Castro said. “We lost to the Mets. But I take that memory with me everywhere, especially because of how tough a lot of the tough times were before that.”

Castro, 27, is thinking these days about winning his own ring with the Yankees this year, the looking like an early favorite for a fourth All-Star selection. After a career-high 21 homers, he’s on pace for a few more this year and has a .945 OPS entering the weekend.

“I’ve been going good so far,” said Castro, who added he likes hitting at Yankee Stadium, likes the strong mix of veterans and young players on the Yankees’ roster and seems to especially like the stability. He has had the same manager and hitting coach in back-to-back years for the first time in his career.

“You work on the same approach and stay in the same routine each year,” he said. “It helps.”

But on Thursday, he had only one thing on his mind.

“I can’t wait for [Friday],” he said. “To be back at Wrigley, taking batting practice before the game, the fans.’’

What will the response be like?

“I don’t know. I just want to wait for that moment,” he said. “I want to see how the fans react the first time they announce my name.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Jon Lester scoffs at hangover talk, says rotation on brink of run By Gordon Wittenmyer

Don’t try to tell Jon Lester the Cubs’ slow start this season is because of some kind of postseason hangover, unless you want an earful.

Lester and the rest of the Cubs’ starting rotation lag far behind their pace from a year ago, when they carried the team to a 25-6 start and provided the backbone for a 103-win season. But hangover?

“How does he know the hangover’s real,” said Lester, responding to a local analyst before Wednesday night’s 5-4 victory over the Phillies.

“Right now, this is the product of taking it slow in . That was a front-office decision. I feel like April was kind of the back end of our spring training.”

Lester, a three-time World Series champ who had two of his best seasons in the years after pitching in the World Series, has said for the last several days that he senses the rotation is on the verge of getting on a roll.

If so, it’s not a moment too soon.

Jake Arrieta’s six-inning start Wednesday — only the Cubs’ fourth quality start in two weeks — is an indication of what Lester was talking about.

“Everything has kind of built up to this point,” said Lester, who survived a squeezed Tuesday to get through five innings for a win. “Obviously, everybody’s comparing everything to last year, and last year we started off on a historical pace. You had guys that threw the ball at a historical pace. So you’re comparing a normal season to something historical.

“That’s where everybody’s trying to compare and say that we’re on a hangover.”

Before Wednesday, the Cubs had only nine quality starts — just one more than the lowest mark in the majors. And even after Arrieta’s start, the rotation had a 4.65 ERA. That ranked 26th in the league.

Even in victory, Arrieta (4-1) continued a troubling trend of first-inning runs, two more scoring on a pair of two-out hits.

It’s the 12th time in the last 15 games the opponent has scored in the first (29 total runs). It’s a big reason six of the Cubs’ victories have come after trailing in the sixth or later.

This time, the Cubs batted around in the sixth for four runs, including a two-run, pinch-hit double by Willson Contreras, who then scored from second on an to short.

“It’s a good sign to be where we’re at without throwing the ball as crisp as we’re capable of as a staff,” said Arrieta, who added he still doesn’t feel locked in. “But we’re all confident that things will change for the positive.”

The Cubs returned their top four pitchers from a rotation that produced a major-league-leading 2.96 ERA and 100 quality starts.

Several have experienced dips in velocity early. And the overall performances have been up and down.

“Sometimes that’s just the game of baseball kind of rearing its head and letting you know that anything is possible in this game,” Arrieta said.

“And we still have a good rotation,” Lester said. “I don’t think we’ve hit our stride yet, which is good.”

And by design, he said.

“Last year we came out so hot that we plummeted at the end of June, along with the whole team,” Lester said. “And then we had that [All-Star] break, and all of a sudden came back and we’re good.

“I think we’re doing the right thing. I think we’re going in the right direction,” he added. “This organization isn’t playing for September any more. We’re playing for October and into November. So I think you have to plan for that.”

Said Maddon: “For the most part, our whole game I really believe is going to continue to trend north. So I’m not really concerned right now.”

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Daily Herald Cubs welcome back familiar faces as Yankees come to town By Bruce Miles

It's a big deal anytime the New York Yankees come to town.

It will be even bigger this weekend when the Cubs play them in a three-game interleague series at Wrigley Field.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman will get his 2016 World Series ring from the Cubs during a pregame ceremony, and Yankees reliever Adam Warren also will get a ring in perhaps a more low-key moment. Warren spent time with the Cubs last year before being traded back to the Yankees in July for Chapman, who rejoined the Yankees in the winter as a free agent.

Another weekend focus will be former Cubs infielder Starlin Castro, who is on fire for the Yankees with a line of .362/.402/.543 with 5 homers and 16 RBI.

Castro was a Cub from 2010 through the 2015 season, Maddon's first as manager of the Cubs. During the 2015 season, Castro lost his shortstop job to Addison Russell and was benched before finding a home at second base and helping the Cubs to the National League championship series.

Maddon said he's glad Castro is playing well.

"The other day I was watching a game during the day," Maddon said. "They (tied) a game because he beat out of the back side of a double play. I was very proud and kind of beaming watching that whole thing. He beat out, and they rallied. They came back and tied it late because he beat out a groundball.

"It's part of his gig. That guy can run. When he really wants to get after it, he can go. I know he's playing a pretty good second base. I know the offense is way up. I'm happy for him. He was a great teammate here. I really thought I had a great relationship with him. He never made an excuse, man. He was not an excuse maker. When anything went poorly, he stood tall, I thought. You've got to like everything about him, I think. I'm happy for his success. Looking forward to saying hello to him."

That's some relief:

The Cubs used eight pitchers in Thursday's 5-4 win in 13 innings over the Phillies. That included lefty Mike Montgomery, who worked 3 innings and threw 45 pitches.

The Cubs are trying to stretch Montgomery out to use him as a sixth starter down the line.

Closer Wade Davis pitched a scoreless ninth inning and kept his ERA at 0.00. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 20⅓ innings, dating to last season with the Royals.

"His body of work so far has been outstanding," Maddon said. "It's just the way he is, also. I think the other guys gain a lot of confidence from watching him do his work and how he does. But having that guy at the end of the game permits you to juggle a little bit prior to that."

This and that:

Kris Bryant had his fifth career game with at least 4 hits. He has reached base in 15 consecutive games … Miguel Montero is 15-for-28 with 3 homers in his last 11 games … Reliever Koji Uehara earned his first win with the Cubs.

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Daily Herald Wrigley Field renovations win over former Cubs exec MacPhail By Bruce Miles

Andy MacPhail sat in the visitors at Wrigley Field Thursday and marveled at the place he called home for almost 12 years.

"I'm immeasurably impressed," said MacPhail, today the president of the Philadelphia Phillies. "I am so taken with they've been able to do, facilities wise, improvements they've made, even with the basics. The outside facade of the stadium looks great.

"I just went through the (Cubs) clubhouse. Amazing. It's all well done. It's all thoughtfully done. I could not be more impressed with how the facilities have evolved in a tiny footprint."

MacPhail was president of the Cubs from late 1994 until resigning on the final day of the 2006 season. The Cubs won the 1998 wild card and came within five outs of the World Series in 2003.

The Tribune Co. owned the Cubs in those days, and MacPhail was their point man for the baseball part of the conglomerate. The Cubs were never able to get over the hump as far as sustaining winning under MacPhail. The parent company threw gobs of money at the team after MacPhail's departure and got two division titles but no postseason victories for all those hundreds of millions spent.

The most ambitious undertaking at the ballpark was the initial bleacher expansion more than a decade ago. The Ricketts family took over in late 2009. The Cubs now are in the process of a breathtaking renovation of the 103- year-old ballpark.

"I think it would be difficult for a public company to invest the kind of money the private ownership was able to do here," MacPhail said. "It's one thing to have the money. It's another to execute everything as well as I think they have. I think it's remarkable. I was prepared not to be a big fan of the (video) boards, but I think they're done extraordinarily well. They are not as obtrusive as I thought they were going to be. They're very informational. You haven't lost any of the experience of coming to Wrigley Field."

There are always the might-have-beens when it comes to MacPhail's tenure in Chicago. He later moved on to and helped start an Orioles resurgence. He took over the Phillies presidency in June 2015.

The biggest what-if for the Cubs came in 2003, when the Marlins scored 8 runs in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the National League championship series to erase a 3-0 Cubs lead before going on to win that fateful night and also Game 7 at Wrigley Field.

"It's the nature of baseball.," MacPhail said. "We got close in '03. I got a World Series ring in '91 (with the Twins) because Lonnie Smith (of the Braves) didn't pick up a ball in the . Sometimes good things happen to you, and sometimes bad things happen. It's the nature of our sport.

"Sometimes I think you look back, and things worked out just the way they were supposed to. It would be hard to replicate the excitement they had here in '16, although things were pretty much a frenzy in '03 as well."

MacPhail is the son of the late Lee MacPhail, a former club executive, American League president and a negotiator who helped end the 1981 players strike. (Andy MacPhail played a big role in preventing a stoppage in 2002.)

Andy MacPhail's grandfather, Larry MacPhail, was a flamboyant executive and innovator.

Today the MacPhail legacy continues with Andy's sons -- Reed works for MLB, and Drew is a member of the Dodgers organization.

"Can't find honest work anywhere else, that's the problem," Andy joked.

But seriously, he expressed pride that his sons carry on the family legacy.

"There are two things from the father's standpoint when your children follow your profession," he said. "You like to think they were excited about it and energized by it as you were as a parent going through it. The second plus that I hadn't thought of is they really have more of an empathy for me and what I did in my career because they have lived it a little bit themselves. They understand it can be a grind. They understand how disappointing it can be. At the same time, they understand how exhilarating it can be. I think they get a little better appreciation for what their dad did."

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Daily Herald Almora propels Cubs to wild walkoff win over Phillies By Bruce Miles

If there's a big baserunning play to be made, the want Albert Almora Jr. to be in the middle of it.

He seems pretty adept at it, going back to, oh, Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, when he tagged from first base on a flyout and went to second. He'd later score on a clutch double by Ben Zobrist.

The heady 23-year-old was at it again Thursday in a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field.

Almora led off the bottom of the 13th inning by legging out a double down the left field line. After Javier Baez grounded out to pitcher Joely Rodriguez, the Phillies intentionally walked Ben Zobrist. Matt Szczur grounded to second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who got the forceout at second.

However, shortstop Freddy Galvis threw the ball away at first, and Almora chugged all the way home with the winning run.

The victory was the Cubs' third in a row, and it improved their record to 16-12.

It all started with Almora reading the ball to left for the double.

"You can tell as a hitter when you have a chance to get to second base," he said. "I knew it was going to be close. I just gave it all I had."

As for being in these kinds of situations, Almora doesn't mind a bit.

"If I'm on base, it means I did something well," he said. "I just want to help. In that situation, I wanted to get to second base. When (Szczur) hit the groundball, you have it in the back of your head, 'What if something happens?' Szczur's a great runner. He could beat it out. If the first baseman's not paying attention, I could score. It was in the back of my head. Luckily, he threw it away. I always try to think ahead of time what's going on. It's the same way in the outfield."

Manager Joe Maddon is aware of Almora's alertness.

"Albert's been doing that kind of stuff," Maddon said. "That's the kind of stuff we like to do on a nightly basis. He seems to be in the middle of it a lot, with all of these baserunning maneuvers and aggressiveness. Here's a guy without the greatest speed in the world. I've talked about that. But he's a good baserunner, he's a good outfielder. He runs good routes. All that stuff is pertinent."

In this back-and-forth game, the Cubs jumped ahead with single runs in the first and second against Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Cubs starter John Lackey worked 5 innings, giving up 9 hits and 3 runs. The Phillies went ahead 4-3 in the top of the eighth.

Miguel Montero tied the game at 4-4 with a solo homer to center in the bottom of the inning. The ball landed in the basket below the bleachers.

"As soon as I hit it, I saw the center fielder kind of looking at the ball, like he was under the ball," Montero said. "I'm like, 'Oh, my God. He's going to catch it.' The next thing I know, the ball is in the basket. Basket. Amazing basket -- when I hit. But when I'm catching, I hate it."

As for the comeback, the Cubs pointed to their World Series rings.

"'We never quit,'" Almora said. "It's on the World Series ring. And it really comes home. It really makes a lot of sense, and it's organization. We never quit until the last out. We're in that ballgame no matter what."

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Cubs.com Cubs to face Yanks, Chapman at Wrigley By Bryan Hoch and Carrie Muskat

Many of the Yankees were looking ahead to enjoying a rare Interleague visit to Wrigley Field, but Aroldis Chapman and Adam Warren were especially excited to pick up their glittering hardware as they return to the Friendly Confines.

Chapman and Warren will receive their 2016 World Series championship rings, featuring 108 white diamonds -- one for each year it took to bring a title back to Chicago's North Side -- prior to Friday's contest with the Cubs, marking the Yanks' first game at Wrigley since 2014. Chapman was to get his ring on the field, while Warren most likely will receive his in a private ceremony with Cubs executives.

"It's big. I think every player wants to get to the World Series and have a World Series ring," Chapman said. "The fact that I'm going over there and getting a ring means a lot to me."

Kyle Hendricks is set to face Michael Pineda in the series opener. While Cubs manager Joe Maddon is scouting Pineda, he's focused on the Yankees' relievers, including Chapman.

"Their bullpen is outstanding," Maddon said. "Adam is back there doing a really good job. ... You want to grab a lead early enough because you don't want to try to beat that bullpen."

Chapman posted a 1.01 ERA and 16 saves in 28 appearances for the Cubs after being acquired on July 25 in exchange for Warren, top prospect Gleyber Torres and Minor League Rashad Crawford and Billy McKinney. He made 13 postseason appearances for the Cubs, striking out 21 over 15 2/3 innings.

After signing a five-year, $86 million deal with the Yankees, Chapman commented that he was misused at times by Maddon. Chapman said that he and Maddon spoke amicably during the Cubs' White House visit in January. Maddon will be on the field Friday as part of the ring ceremony, and said he was looking forward to seeing Chapman.

"I've had a good relationship with him," Chapman said of Maddon. "We spoke about free agency, he congratulated me about the contract and all that stuff. It's a good relationship."

Maddon knows all about the powerful Yankees, having faced them often during his days with Tampa Bay. "It was always a wonderful battle," Maddon said.

Three things to know about this game

• Starlin Castro is returning to Wrigley. A three-time All-Star with the Cubs, Castro played 891 games for the franchise from 2010-15, collecting 991 hits while batting .281 with 391 runs, 186 doubles, 31 triples, 62 homers and 363 RBIs. Castro said that he watched the World Series closely, rooting in particular for former teammate Anthony Rizzo.

"I'm just happy," Castro said. "Whatever happens, happens, but I just wanted the Cubbies [to win], because I have a lot of good relationships with the teammates I had over there."

This weekend also is a homecoming for Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was drafted by the Cubs in 1986, and played for the team from 1989-92 and again from 2000-02.

• The Yankees are expected to activate catcher Gary Sanchez from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's game. Sanchez hit 20 home runs in 53 games last season, but has been limited to just 20 at-bats this year due to a right biceps strain sustained on April 8 at Baltimore.

• Aaron Judge hit his Major League-leading 13th homer on Wednesday against the Blue Jays in New York, and said that he can't wait to set foot on Wrigley soil.

"I'm looking forward to that," Judge said. "That's one stadium that I want to check off my list here. I get a chance to play in Wrigley Field coming off the Cubs winning the World Series. It's going to be an electric atmosphere and I'm looking forward to it."

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Cubs.com Cubs walk off on Phillies' 13th-inning error By Carrie Muskat and Jeff Arnold

CHICAGO -- The Cubs don't have to wear their World Series rings to remember the 2016 team's motto of "We never quit," which is engraved on the outside. They play that way every day, and they reinforced the message on Thursday.

Albert Almora Jr. doubled and later scored on a throwing error by shortstop Freddy Galvis in the 13th inning to lift the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Phillies. It was Chicago's fourth win this season in its last at-bat, and its 10th come-from-behind win of the year.

"We know we can come back and we never quit," Miguel Montero said. "That's our team. We never quit -- we've been saying that, and we've been proving it."

With the game tied at 4 against Joely Rodriguez, Almora led off with a double to left, aggressively running to get to second on the hit. After Javier Baez grounded out to the pitcher, Ben Zobrist was intentionally walked. Matt Szczur hit a potential double-play ball to second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who threw to Galvis, but his throw pulled first baseman Brock Stassi off the bag, and Almora scored the game-winner.

"Those kind of plays -- you have a speedy guy at the plate, I just tried to make an out and made a bad throw," Galvis said.

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin called the error "a bad way to lose."

The Phillies had a chance in the 11th when they loaded the bases with one out, taking advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Addison Russell. But Mike Montgomery escaped as he struck out Michael Saunders and got pinch-hitter Andres Blanco to pop up to second baseman Baez.

The Phillies got the better of the Cubs in the 12th. Chicago loaded the bases and the Phillies brought in Ty Kelly as a fifth infielder, and the defense worked, as Willson Contreras hit into a 6-9-3 double play.

The two teams combined to go 4-for-28 with runners in and left 25 men on base.

"Give these guys a lot of credit for continuing to battle," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of his players. "There were some frustrating moments when we shot ourselves in the foot. … When they turn a double play on you, touche. We've been doing it all [game, too]. It was a really interesting game."

With the game tied at 3 in the Phillies' eighth, Cameron Rupp greeted Carl Edwards Jr. with a leadoff home run, the first run off the off the right-hander this season. Edwards had given up two hits over 12 innings in his 12 previous outings. But Miguel Montero tied the game in the Cubs' half with his third home run of the season, launching an 0- 1 pitch from Joaquin Benoit with one out to the basket rimming the bleachers in center field. Phillies relievers now have served up a Major League-high 21 home runs.

"I hit the ball good, but the wind was really weird," Montero said. "I didn't know what to expect and next thing I know, the ball is in the basket. Basket -- amazing basket when I hit, but when I'm catching, I hate it. As soon as the ball hit the basket, I slowed down. I never thought I had a chance to hit it out. I got lucky."

Phillies starter Zach Eflin was in line for the win after Rupp's homer, but instead did not get a decision. He gave up three runs over seven innings.

Rupp's homer was the second of the day by the Phillies, as Maikel Franco had tied the game at 2 with a leadoff shot in the fourth off Chicago starter John Lackey.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Pickoff artist: The Cubs had runners at first and second with one out in the ninth against Jeanmar Gomez, but the pitcher helped snuff their rally with a perfect move to second baseman Hernandez to get Zobrist at second. Zobrist had a significant lead and was easily tagged out. After Zobrist was out, Bryant singled to left field. Instead of potentially scoring Zobrist, the hit placed runners at first and second again, and Anthony Rizzo grounded out to end the inning.

"The play at second base is an instructional league, Minor League play that everybody does on the Major League level well," Maddon said. "Every pitcher can do what that guy did. They got us. Pants down, they got us. .. I give the other side credit. They did some things really well."

Escape artist: Lackey had thrown 95 pitches through five innings, and started the Phillies' sixth, but he gave up back-to-back hits and was lifted. Brian Duensing took over and got Galvis to line out to first baseman Rizzo, who stepped on the bag for a double play. The outing was the first time this season Lackey did not go at least six innings.

Sound smart with your friends For just the 13th time in the Cubs' 28 games, they did not give up a run in the first inning. The Cubs did score in their half, as Bryant singled and, with two outs, Russell lined a double to right and into the 15-mph northeast wind. Bryant scored for a 1-0 lead.

"We know we have to step it up a little more and get the lead early in the game and go from there, so we can take some of the stress off our pitchers," Montero said.

UNDER REVIEW

With two outs in the Cubs' sixth, Szczur hit a bouncer to third baseman Franco, who threw to first. Szczur was called , but the Phillies challenged the ruling and after a review, the call was overturned, and the inning was over.

WHAT'S NEXT

Phillies: Right-hander Nick Pivetta (0-1, 3.60 ERA) will make his second start when the Phillies begin a weekend series against the Nationals at 7:05 pm. ET at Citizens Bank Park. Pivetta will start in place of injured right-hander Aaron Nola, who continues to deal with a back issue. Pivetta allowed two runs and nine hits over five innings against the Dodgers on April 30.

Cubs: Kyle Hendricks will open the Cubs' Interleague series against the Yankees on Friday at Wrigley Field. It will be Hendricks' second straight start against an American League East team; he faced the Red Sox last Sunday and gave up two runs over six innings. Aroldis Chapman will receive his World Series ring on the field pregame. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT.

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Cubs.com Almora exemplifies 'never quit' attitude in win By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- It was the 13th inning Thursday, and it was as good a time as any for the Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. to be aggressive on the basepaths.

"I've got to get on second base that inning," Almora said. "What happens if I don't? It'd be one out and we've got guys coming up who can hit it over the fence."

The Cubs didn't need a walk-off hit, but took advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Freddy Galvis which allowed Almora to score the game-winner and post a 5-4 victory over the Phillies. It was Chicago's 10th come- from-behind win, and fourth in its last at-bat.

The Cubs had plenty of chances earlier -- they stranded 11 and went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position -- and missed a perfect opportunity in the 12th when they loaded the bases. But the Phillies brought Ty Kelly in from right field as a fifth infielder, and the strategy worked when Willson Contreras hit into a 6-9-3 double play.

Kelly moved to left field in the 13th and couldn't get to Almora's hit quick enough.

"Albert seems to be in the middle of it a lot," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Here's a guy without the greatest speed in the world, but he's a good baserunner, he runs good routes. It was just a crazy game."

How weird? Ben Zobrist was picked off at second in the ninth in what Maddon called a play that every pitcher works on in instructional league. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant turned a nifty double play in the 12th when the Phillies had a runner at first and one out, and Brock Stassi lined out to Bryant at third. He threw in time to Rizzo for a double play.

Miguel Montero came up big with a in the fifth and a game-tying home run into the basket rimming the center-field bleachers in the eighth.

Montero may have looked as if he was hurt after the homer, but he was OK.

"I just slowed down," Montero said. "I took off too quick."

Then the crazy 13th. After Almora's hustle double, Javier Baez grounded out to pitcher Joely Rodriguez. Zobrist was intentionally walked, and Matt Szczur hit a potential double-play ball to second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who threw to Galvis, but his throw pulled Stassi off first base, and Almora scored the game-winner.

"In that situation [leading off the inning], I wanted to get to second base," Almora said. "When [Szczur] hit the ground ball -- you have it in the back of your head, 'What if something happens?' [Szczur] is a great runner, he could beat it out, the first baseman could be not paying attention and I could score, so it was in the back of my head, and fortunately, [Galvis] threw it away."

The Cubs needed that run. They were out of pitchers, and had talked to Saturday's scheduled starter Brett Anderson about possibly going to the bullpen.

"We never quit," Almora said. "It's on the World Series ring, and it really comes home and it really makes a lot of sense and it's our organization. We never quit until that last out. We're in that ballgame no matter what."

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Cubs.com Cubs to pay tribute to Castro when Yanks visit By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Starlin Castro won't get a ring on Friday, but the infielder, who grew up in the Cubs' organization before he was dealt to the Yankees, will be celebrated.

The Cubs are planning a video tribute to Castro -- which most likely will include his lively walk-up music -- on Friday when the Yankees arrive for the start of a three-game Interleague series.

"It'll be exciting," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "He was here for a long time and did a lot of good things here. Obviously, he got traded to a great team, the Yankees, but part of him was part of that [Cubs] team last year that won a World Series. I'm sure he felt that."

It may be bittersweet for Castro to watch his current Yankees teammate Aroldis Chapman receive a ring on the field Friday. The Cubs acquired Chapman last July, and the closer was a big reason why they reached the World Series.

"I'm sure it will be [bittersweet], but like every other Cub who has put on this uniform, that championship is for them," Rizzo said. "Starlin is closer to that goal than a lot of other alumni."

One of the toughest decisions Cubs manager Joe Maddon made in his first year with the team in 2015 was to move Castro from shortstop to second base to make room for Addison Russell.

"I remember talking to him in the manager's office sitting across from me," Maddon said of their conversation in August 2015. "He didn't blanch, he didn't make an excuse, he didn't cry or scream, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'You're not going to play for a couple days. I want you to start working at second base.' Not a whimper. It was outstanding on his part.

"He's taken it and run with it," Maddon said. "He's in a really good position with a very good ballclub. I know he can handle the big lights in New York, I know he can do that. I cannot be happier for his success."

Castro made a splash in his big league debut on May 7, 2010, with the Cubs, when he homered in his first at-bat and finished with six RBIs against the Reds. A three-time All-Star at shortstop, he had to deal with a lot of turnover as the Cubs changed managers and hitting coaches during his tenure.

"A young guy like that, probably his best resource was that he was so good, he was immune to all this in some ways," Maddon said.

The constant was Rizzo, who joined the Cubs in 2012.

"There were so many guys coming in and out, you'd start Spring Training with one group and end with a completely different group," Rizzo said. "We were always the two here. And we played every day. Playing every day, you form a bond with guys. Whether you like them off the field or not, on the field and in the clubhouse, you form this bond. Castro and I had a good one, on and off the field."

Maddon was eager to see Castro, who was traded to the Yankees for reliever Adam Warren in December 2015. "He was a great teammate here, and I thought I had a great relationship here with him," Maddon said. "He never made an excuse. When anything went poorly, he stood tall. I'm very happy for his success and looking forward to saying hello to him."

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Cubs.com All's well that ends well for Cubs, closers By Phil Rogers

CHICAGO -- Aroldis Chapman is returning to Wrigley Field, and you know what that means. It's about time for another World Series celebration, right?

Don't waste your breath talking about the Indians' center fielder who wrapped that home run around the left-field foul pole in Game 7. Or the manager who kept putting Chapman into uncomfortable situations, earlier and earlier in games.

Thanks to Chapman's work in the bottom of the ninth inning in Cleveland -- pitching as he tried to fight off tears -- as well as the tag-team effort of Carl Edwards Jr. and Mike Montgomery in the 10th, the Cuban with baseball's biggest arm is going to get his World Series ring before the Yankees face the Cubs on Friday afternoon. That moment should be all joy, no awkwardness or angst.

After all, it's not often that you can experience a win/win/win/win situation. Usually win/win is as far as we can go. But when you consider the Cubs, Yanks, Chapman and Joe Maddon's 2017 bullpen, there's a real circle of happy circumstances. Let's the wins:

1. The Yankees exchange free-agent-to-be Chapman for 19-year-old shortstop Gleyber Torres, who is currently ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect by MLBPipeline.com, last July. Theo Epstein loved Torres, but with Addison Russell and Javier Baez already on board, he dealt him to upgrade the bullpen. It was all about October.

2. Chapman makes Epstein's investment pay off, earning four saves and two wins in the postseason as the Cubs won their first World Series championship since 1908.

3. Chapman gets extremely rich, leveraging his ability throw 103- and 104-mph fastballs into a five-year, $86 million contract with the Yankees. (Note: This could also be interpreted as another win for the Yanks, as they reassemble one of the best bullpens in the Major Leagues, with the left-handed Chapman closing behind the right- handed Dellin Betances).

4. The Cubs gracefully move on from Chapman to acquire another dominating closer, Wade Davis. He comes at the cost of 25-year-old outfielder , who became expendable after the addition of free agents and Ben Zobrist prior to the 2016 season. And unlike Chapman, the Cubs didn't have to make a long-term commitment to Davis. They have him for one year, so they can see how well he fits before deciding to re-sign him or potentially reap Draft pick compensation if they give him a qualifying offer and he signs elsewhere.

Here's the thing: Davis is one of the very few closers who could replace Chapman without a missed step, and he is doing exactly that. He hasn't been scored on in 14 appearances, including a scoreless inning each of the past three days.

Davis served as a setup man for the Royals before taking over the closer role when 's elbow became an issue in the second half of 2015, and Davis has quietly joined Chapman at the top of the game.

Here's how they've stacked up since the start of 2014:

Davis: 199 games, 195 IP, 21-4, 54 saves, 1.11 ERA, 0.872 WHIP, 374 ERA+ Chapman: 189 games, 188 2/3 IP, 9-8, 111 saves, 1.67 ERA, 0.959 WHIP, 240 ERA+

Whichever closer you're looking at, those are eye-popping totals. Davis doesn't quite match Chapman in terms of per nine innings -- he's at 11.5, compared to Chapman's 15.6 -- but he has been even more reliable.

Unlike Chapman, Davis did not have to address a suspension for domestic violence and hasn't said anything provocative about how Maddon is using him. It's early, sure, but Davis seems as drama-free in the clubhouse and community as he is on the mound, limiting opportunities for opponents.

When Chapman signed with the Yankees in mid-December, he second-guessed how Maddon used him in the postseason, specifically citing the stretch where threw a combined 97 pitches in World Series Games 5, 6 and 7.

In his strongest quote on a conference call with reporters, which was translated from Spanish, Chapman said Maddon "abused me a bit on how much he made me pitch." He said he was tired in Game 7 -- when Rajai Davis tied the game on a 97-mph fastball, Chapman's slowest fastball of the season, according to Statcast™ -- because Maddon had brought him into Game 6 with the Cubs leading 7-2.

This added kerosene to the fire for Chicago fans who had already been critical of Maddon. But don't look for anything but hugs this weekend.

Chapman told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch that he and Maddon have maintained their "good relationship," and cited a friendly conversation when he joined the Cubs in visiting the White House in January. Maddon's skin is as thick as deep-dish pizza. He's not carrying a grudge.

And Davis? He can only hope he's in Chapman's shoes next offseason, celebrating both a major contract and a championship.

Epstein could stop the closer shuffle by extending Davis' contract, of course. He hasn't been inclined to invest heavily in relievers in the past, but it's easier to close a potential hole than fill one after it's opened, even when you're on a winning streak with your decision-making.

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Cubs.com Maddon: 'You feel good' when Davis enters By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Closer Wade Davis is making catcher Willson Contreras' life easier -- as well as making the Cubs' bullpen better.

"I think he's one of the best in the whole big leagues," Contreras said of the veteran Davis, who is in his first season with the Cubs. "His fastball, his cutter, the command he has on all of his pitches is unbelievable. Any pitch I call, at any time, he can throw for a strike. It's like controlling a baseball with a remote. It's crazy the way he pitches."

Davis picked up his seventh save on Wednesday and entered Thursday's game 7-for-7 in save opportunities. He has yet to give up a run over 13 games and 12 1/3 innings.

"You watch him, he pitches," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Davis, who was on the manager's pitching staff with Tampa Bay. "As a closer, this guy throws his , throws his cutter. He'll back door, he'll elevate with his fastball, two-seamer in. He's really fun to watch as a closer, because he's a pitcher. Very calm demeanor, to say the least. You feel good when he gets in a game like that."

Maddon also has noticed that when Davis is in the game and the Cubs have a one-run lead, the right-hander has a little more velocity on his fastball.

"I think the other guys gain a lot of confidence from watching him do his work," Maddon said.

• This weekend's Interleague series between the Cubs and Yankees will be a family reunion for Cubs first-base coach and his brother-in-law, Joe Espada, who is the Yankees' third-base coach. Their families are expected to attend the three games, and Hyde's wife was having T-shirts made to celebrate the get-together.

"I coached with him in the Minor Leagues and he was my hitting coach," Hyde said of Espada. "He met my wife's sister [and married her]. He was third-base coach for the Marlins, and now with the Yankees.

"It's really cool and I'm happy for him and proud of him," Hyde said. "We both grinded it out a long time in the Minor Leagues, and for him to be a third-base coach for the Yankees is pretty cool."

• The Interleague games against the Yankees also will give Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant a chance to say hello to his former Las Vegas high school teammate, Chasen Shreve, a reliever on the Yankees.

• Cubs reliever Koji Uehara appeared in his 400th game on Wednesday, and is the second Japanese pitcher to reach that mark, joining Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who appeared in 517 games in the Major Leagues.

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ESPNChicago.com From face of the Cubs to facing the Cubs, Starlin Castro returns to Wrigley By Jesse Rogers

CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo says it might be “bittersweet” for his friend and former teammate, Starlin Castro, to watch as New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman receives his World Series ring before Friday’s Cubs-Yankees game.

After all, Chapman was a Cub for a just a few months in 2016, while Castro was the face of the franchise -- albeit a losing one -- for much of his six years in Chicago from 2010 to 2015. But the three-time All-Star was traded the year before the Cubs won it all.

“It didn’t happen when I was there, but I’m happy for those guys,” Castro said earlier this week. "They won a ring."

Castro has always been a happy-go-lucky guy and should get a good reception from the crowd in his first road appearance at Wrigley Field, despite some ups and downs to his Cubs career. Mostly, he was really good on really bad teams in 2010-14.

“How the fans react when they see me for the first time since I left ...” Castro admitted to wondering. “I’m happy to go back and play there ... I don’t know. Actually, I don’t know. We’ll see. That’s why I can’t wait to see them react.”

The team is planning a video montage to honor Castro, and Rizzo is pretty sure his former teammate will get a nice ovation.

“He deserves it. It’ll be nice for him,” Rizzo said. “Part of him was part of that team last year that won a World Series. I’m sure he felt that. Just like every other Cub that’s put on this uniform, that championship is for them.”

The difference, Rizzo notes, is Castro was part of Theo Epstein’s rebuilding process. He even helped the Cubs to the playoffs in 2015 despite a rocky start to the season. Castro actually got benched as the starting shortstop, then reappeared at second base. After hitting just .170 in July, his bat came alive and he hit .296 in August and .369 in September/October.

His acceptance of his new role at second base is widely credited as a key factor in the Cubs’ second-half push to reach the postseason.

“It was very big,” manager Joe Maddon said. “It permitted Addison [Russell] to become the shortstop. He didn’t blanch. He didn’t make an excuse. He didn’t cry. He didn’t scream.”

Then came the offseason trade to the Yankees, which helped clear space to add free agent Ben Zobrist. The Cubs liked what the veteran winner brought to the franchise, but it doesn’t take away what Castro meant. He was a beacon of hope during a time when the Cubs went 346-464 in 2010-14.

“That’s one of the guys that starred with me,” Castro said of Rizzo who has been with the Cubs since 2012. “I came before him, but we were together for five years. He always wanted to win."

Rizzo added: “Playing every day, you form a bond with the guys and in the clubhouse. Castro and I had a good one.”

Because of that bond, Castro rooted on his old team during the World Series despite being dealt just before the real fun began.

“It was emotional,” Castro said. “It was a nervous World Series. It was pretty awesome. I root for the city of Chicago and all my ex-teammates.”

Castro is in a good place with his new teammates now. He is tied for the most hits in the AL with a guy named Mike Trout. He’s hitting .362, coming off a career year in home runs (21), and his strong start to 2017 has helped the Yankees become one of the season’s early surprises.

“He’s in a good position with a very good ball club,” Maddon said. “I know he can handle the bright lights in New York. I cannot be more happy for his success.”

Maddon also thinks Castro can handle the rigors of being a Yankee because he knows how to be accountable, something he learned coming up in the big market of Chicago. He never shied away from taking the blame.

“He was never an excuse-maker,” Maddon stated. “Whenever anything went poorly, he stood tall, I thought. You have to like everything about him.”

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ESPNChicago.com Miguel Montero is finding his comfort zone By Jesse Rogers

CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero credits a better mindset and better communication with the boss as reasons for his success this season. On Thursday, he came up big again in the Cubs' 5-4, 13-inning win over the Philadelphia Phillies, as the 33-year-old catcher hit a game-tying home run to center field in the eighth.

"I saw the center fielder looking at the ball like he was under it, and I was like 'Oh my god, he's going to catch it,'" Montero recalled after the game. "Next thing I know the ball is in the basket. 'Basket. Amazing basket!'"

He continued with a smile: "When I hit, but when I'm catching, I hate [the basket]."

It was Montero's third home run, the big hit of a 1-for-3 day that left his batting average at .385. That's quite the start to his season considering he hit just .216 last year. But even after struggling in 2016, he came up big in the postseason. Remember his pinch-hit in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the ? Then he had a huge RBI single in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series to give the Cubs an insurance run.

"I just like those situations," Montero explained. "I like to be put on the spot. If I fail, it's part of the game. I'm not afraid to fail."

What got to Montero last year wasn't failing, it was a perceived lack of communication between him and his manager, Joe Maddon. It culminated in some harsh words said on the radio about Maddon on the day the Cubs celebrated their title in November. A spring training dinner set things right and the two have been on the same page ever since.

"I feel great playing the way they are playing me," Montero said. "If I play, I'm excited to play, and if I'm not, I'm excited to help the team someway, somehow.

"The mindset is just different this year. Joe has been doing a great job letting me know when I'm playing."

Montero says Maddon lets him know "three days in advance" when he's playing, and he's also been rewarded for his hot start. Most backups don't play in back-to-back games, let alone a day game after a night game, but Montero has done that more than once already this year -- and it's paying off.

"I've been coming through and failing," Montero said of his time with the Cubs. "On and off. Just try to do my best every time I go out there.

"Hopefully the next step is I throw somebody out."

No one has ever said Montero can't be self-deprecating, as he has had his issues -- including on Thursday -- throwing runners out. His bat overshadowed everything else though as he helped the Cubs win a sloppy game. If not for his clutch hit, the focus would have been on veterans Jon Jay and Ben Zobrist getting picked off bases or Addison Russell making a big error.

Montero came out of the game after the home run, leading to speculation he injured himself on his trot around the bases. Sometimes it's hard to tell, considering his lack of overall speed and athleticism, but in this case, Maddon just wanted to make a change behind the plate.

"I slowed down," he said. "I took off really quick and slowed down there. I never thought the ball was going to go out."

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