Star MLB pitcher posts touching handwritten farewell to his old team
Baseball might first and foremost be a business, but every once in a while, athletes remind you of the bond that can form between a city and its star player.
And it’s moments like these that make fans feel as though they themselves are emotionally connected to a player, even if they have never met him before.
That’s exactly what happened Monday, when former Cubs star pitcher Jake Arrieta penned a handwritten note bidding the city of Chicago a fond farewell.
Arrieta spent parts of five seasons with the Cubs after being discarded by the Baltimore Orioles, and his tenure with the club was highly successful. He made an All-Star team, won a Cy Young Award and was part of the first Cubs team in over a century to win a world championship.
But all good things must come to an end, and Arrieta departed Chicago this offseason, signing a 3-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $75 million.
Still, Arrieta wanted to make it clear how much his old stomping grounds meant to him, so he posted a touching note to Twitter on Monday addressed only to “Chicago.”
The star pitcher started by recalling how, as a failing young pitcher, he was traded to the Cubs. It was a transaction that would change his life.
“In the midst of what felt like never ending adversity and failure, I was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 2, 2013,” Arrieta wrote.
“This was the beginning of a four and a half year stretch that would forever change our lives. On the verge of walking away from the game I love dearly, Theo (Epstein) called, and the transformation began. I looked myself in the mirror, as well as my two-year-old son and pregnant wife knowing in my heart that everything was about to change.”
Arrieta went on to call Chicago his “home” and noted that the city “will forever be a special place for my entire family.”
“We raised our children in Wrigleyville, one of the most iconic places in all of sports,” he said. “Going to work every day was an honor for many reasons from the storied history of the organization, to the high character individuals I was surrounded by year after year.”
Of course, Arrieta couldn’t help but point out some of the team’s accomplishments during his time with the Cubs.
“Three consecutive NLCS appearances, two NL Central Titles, and a World Series Championship … the first in 108 years. Childhood dreams turned reality, thanks to so many amazing people, all holding one another to a very high standard,” he wrote.
Next, Arrieta praised the Ricketts family, who owns the Cubs. Not only were they committed to winning, he said, but they also always made sure to take care of their players’ families.
“I send gracious thanks to the Ricketts family and front office for their commitment to winning at any cost. Going the extra mile to take care of our families was never taken for granted,” he wrote.
Arrieta also had kind words for his “dedicated” teammates, who he said “willingly shed blood, sweat, and tears to achieve our goals.”
“I will miss going to battle with all of you, but look forward to competing on opposite sides moving forward,” he wrote.
And finally, Arrieta lets Cubs fans know how much they mean to him.
“Thanks to all Cubs fans around the world for standing with us, and investing in us even when times were tough,” he wrote. “You will all be missed dearly. Thanks for the memories.”
The 32-year-old pitcher will now set his sights on regaining his All-Star form with the Phillies. Arrieta had a 3.53 ERA last season in 168.1 uinnings of work. He finished his Cubs career with a sterling 2.73 ERA.
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