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Javier Baez - A Major Asset for Major League's Chicago Cubs

Posted on May 8th 2017

Javier is a professional infielder whom found his destiny playing for the MLB's Chicago Cubs. His MLB debut took place on August 5th, 2014 and just two short years later he would find himself a part of the first Cubs lineup to win a World Series championship in 108-years (NLCS, October, 2016.)  A key member of the team, Javier has accomplished a lot in a vert short time. SportsWorldChicago salutes Javier and we wrote this article as a way of paying homage to this high-caliber player.

Childhood & Roots

Puerto Rico is home for Javier, where he was born and raised. His father Angel schooled him and his brother on the game of baseball before he sadly passed away when Javier was 10 years old. The love for baseball that Javier and his two brothers had at that age would never wane – even going as far as to get the MLB logo tattooed on their bodies. Javier isn’t the first of the trio to get into the MLB. Rolando was drafted in 2002 to the San Diego Padres. In high school he never played one position steadily and although he was good, scouts didn’t think he’d ever be a star.

Javier & The Cubs

The relationship with the Cubs began in 2011 when Javier was selected in the first round to join the major league team. His professional career started in the minors playing for the Arizona Cubs, a rookie-level team in Arizona. He was promoted to the Class A-Short Season Northwest League where he played with the Boise Hawks. He then moved up to play for the Peoria Chiefs in the Class A Midwest League and the Daytona Cubs, Class A-Advanced Florida State League. He was named in Baseball America as the “most exciting player in the Midwest league.” After hopping around some more in 2013 to the Tennessee Smokies Class AA Southern League, Iowa Cubs Class AAA Pacific Coast League and an attempt by Puerto Rican league to sign him - he was finally promoted to the MLB by the Cubs in August 2014.

Javier Goes to the World Series

Just two years into his Major League career, he was given the opportunity to win an NLCS pennant at the 2016 World Series. During the first game of the series against the Dodgers, Javier Baez was able to steal home in the second inning. This feat was a big deal as no Cub had been able to do this in a postseason game since 1907 when Jimmy Slagle did it during game 4 of the 1907 World Series. Altogether, he’s only one of 19 players to ever do this in any World Series game. He was named co-MVP alongside Jon Lester for his NLCS performance – hitting .318 with 5 RBI’s, four doubles and two stolen bases.

Javier Baez is a highly skilled baseball player and a great asset to the Chicago Cubs. SportsWorldChicago salutes Javier and we offer a large selection of Baez gear including Jerseys, Shirts & more.

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