2026 Cubs Con Features Mind-Blowing Decision to Invite Troubled Ex-Player
Normally around this time of the year Chicago Cubs fans will both get excited for the upcoming baseball season that unofficially kicks off with Cubs Con, while simultaneously preparing to lash out at the organization. Usually the complaints are toward the Ricketts not spending enough or the front office not pleasing fans with remarkable moves, but a few weeks before the event the Cubs actually did create excitement over the trade for Edward Cabrera and seeing that the team will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of winning the World Series you’d imagine it would be mostly good vibes heading into the fan convention.
Well, the Cubs don’t always get the PR right and boy did they step in it on Friday as the team released a list of featured guests that include 2016 alumni players. One name painfully sticks out. It’ll be great to see Anthony Rizzo back alongside Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks plus Joe Maddon among others, but for some reason the organization decided to invite Addison Russell.
The same Addison Russell who was suspended 40 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy and a suspension that he did not appeal back in 2018. Allegations of domestic abuse first surfaced on social media against Russell in early June of 2017. MLB investigated the claims, but no official decision was handed down until the following season, when Russell was first put on administrative leave in late Sept. 2018. Then, a 40-game suspension was announced on Oct. 3.
Russell, who made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2015, was the team’s starting shortstop during the 2016 season and in the World Series run. After his suspension ended in 2019, Russell spent time between the majors and Triple-A. He played in 82 games in his final season with the Cubs and was eventually non-tendered by the club after the 2019 season. Russell, now 31-years-old, never played in MLB again, although he did continue to play professionally in South Korea and Mexico from 2020-24, having two separate stints in each country.
It makes no sense why you’d want to have Russell back in front of fans in what is supposed to be a feel-good event. Despite being on the 2016 World Series winning team, Russell’s lasting memory with the team is how he was exposed as an abuser to his ex-wife and even allegations of being a scumbag father.
Now, you’re either going to get fans booing Russell, dead silence or putting your fans in an uncomfortable position to cheer for a guy who was suspended for domestic abuse. What the hell were the Cubs thinking on this one?