More Second Chances

I must really hate the Cubs—and I do—to forget to mention infielder Robel Garcia as yet another example of someone who’s clawed his way to the major leagues, from Italy, of all places.

Signed as a 17-year old from the Dominican Republic, Garcia spent four years in the Indians’ system before moving on to the Italian national team, how or why I couldn’t say.  After another four seasons there, the 26-year old caught the attention of a Cubs’ scout, and the rest is history, as they say.  The switch-hitting Garcia is batting .286 since his early July call-up with 4 homeruns and 10 RBIs, all this in a mere 35 at-bats.  Garcia homered into McCovey Cove at Oracle Park last night while Mike Yastrzemski went two for four with an RBI in a Giants’ late-inning, come-from-behind 5-4 win.

Garcia plays second base, just like ex-White Sox Tyler Saladino, now of the Brewers.  Things haven’t gone too well for Saladino this year; he’s batting a mere .130, but the last two games sure have been nice.  Saladino has hit a grand slam in each game, and that always leaves a good impression.

Grinders rule.