Feb. 25--Dexter Fowler spurned the Baltimore Orioles to re-sign with the Cubs and clearly the Internet couldn't handle it. Within an hour of the Cubs tweeting the news to their followers, the outfielder shot up to the top of Twitter's trending topics on Thursday.
"THIS is the year #FowlersHowlers #Cubs @MLB @Cubs," Fowler tweeted along with a photo of himself clapping and smoking a cigar after the Cubs clinched the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals in October.
Fowler seemed headed to Baltimore on a reported three-year, $35-million deal. But he instead agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Chicago with $13 million guaranteed and an option for 2017.
The Cubs tweeted a slow-motion video of Fowler being greeted by surprised teammates at spring training in Mesa, Ariz. "Cubs fans ... If this doesn't make your day, check your pulse! @DexterFowler is back," the caption read.
"He made it!" new Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward wrote on his Twitter page.
Many fans and even some journalists expressed shock at the turn of events. Some reacted to the bombshell through memes, several of which Fowler retweeted from his verified account.
plthompson@tribpub.com
