The Cubs bullpen will not acknowledge your rocket foul ball
If Chicago Cubs fans are worried about the 2016 team being fazed by the pressure of ending a 108-year World Series championship drought, this video should make them feel better.
During Wednesday’s 6-1 win against the Brewers, Chicago’s relievers could not be bothered to react to Jonathan Villar’s well-struck foul ball as it zeroed in on its quarters. That includes left-hander Travis Wood, who appeared to take a direct hit off the right shin without so much as flinching, let alone bailing or wailing in discomfort.
No emotion, no fear. pic.twitter.com/EhTqYbDqzE
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 18, 2016
Are these guys crazy?
Perhaps. And perhaps crazy is what Chicago needs. If they’re not going to flinch in the face of a rocket foul ball, what could possibly faze them in the heat of battle?
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Well, maybe don’t answer that right now, Cubs fans. We know you’ve seen it all and experienced every emotion possible over the years. But from the outside looking in anyway that looks like one tough group to crack.
Though the incident happened in the first inning, it was also quite impressive that Wood was able to pitch later in the game. Even if he didn’t sell it, he felt it. There had to be a bruise or at least some soreness, but it didn’t show as Wood pitched a perfect ninth inning to cap the victory.
The Cubs have now won 14 of 16 games and hold a 12 1/2-game lead in the NL Central. From a baseball perspective, they should have no reason to flinch again until the NLDS.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
