Spring stunner: Jon Lester joined the Cubs home run parade
For the last oh, let’s say 108 years, things have not gone well for the Chicago Cubs. That’s how long it’s been since one of baseball’s most storied franchises has gone without winning a World Series championship. And because of that remarkable run of futility mixed with bad luck, baseball fans tend to expect the worst for the Cubs even when they are lights beaming at the end of the tunnel.
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In the year 2015 though, that light seemed to get nearer and nearer with each passing day. To the point now that people actually believe a World Series celebration could happen on the north side of Chicago. And the stunning events of March 30, 2016, may have confirmed that such a moment is now inevitable.
You see, what happened during Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Colorado Rockies wasn’t just unexpected, it was once considered impossible. Pitcher Jon Lester, who started his career with 66 hitless at-bats, the longest hitless streak in the history of baseball, not only reached base safely, he rounded those same bases after connecting with his first professional home run.
The game was not televised, so we’ve called upon MLB’s resources and eyewitnesses in the ballpark to confirm what happened.
Indeed, that is a home run. And the reaction of Cubs fans in attendance confirm it as a monumental home run.
Lester’s two-run blast was a small part of Chicago’s seven-run fourth inning rally. It was also the first half of back-to-back homers with Kyle Schwarber, whom we already recognize as one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. As in that inning, this happened.
Granted, it’s spring training. All of the damage was done against Scott Oberg, a fringe major-league reliever who shouldn’t have a major role even with the Rockies. But it’s damage, and damage figures to be the Cubs’ M.O. If Jon Lester joins that parade with any regularity, there’s very little hope for the rest of us.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
