The boos drowned out the smattering of applause as Addison Russell stepped into the batter’s box at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night for the first time since serving a 40-game domestic violence suspension that began last year.
By the time he struck out in that at-bat, leading off the third inning against the Marlins, the boos increased. And they crowd of 30,000-plus on a damp, cool night were at full-throated attention when he stepped in with two runners on base in the fourth – loudly booing before and after he grounded out to end the inning.
“He should expect to face adversity along the way, and he doesn’t deserve to be met with an unconditionally warm welcome and with open arms,” Cubs president Theo Epstein acknowledged during a pregame media conference to address the Cubs’ decision to recall Russell from the minors less than a week after optioning him to Class AAA when his suspension expired.
“I think he will receive an appropriate response, and that’s something that he needs to take responsibility for, to process, to handle the right way and to grow from,” Epstein said. “It’s all part of the process. I think he knows it’s a long road back to earn people’s trust, whether that’s the organization, most importantly the people in his life on a daily basis, his teammates and then the fans.”
Whether that ever happens and whatever comes next for Russell, the controversial promotion Wednesday was six months in the making – and six days earlier than the club anticipated.
Epstein said the club originally targeted Tuesday on the road in Cincinnati as a likely return date for Russell, who left the team in September as its starting shortstop and returned to start at second base and bat eighth Wednesday.
But Ben Zobrist’s request for an undetermined leave of absence to deal with a personal family matter created a roster need, and Russell’s timeline was moved up.
Regardless, said Epstein, “this is not the finish line, but it’s the next step for him” as Russell continues therapy and a monitored, personal program that remains a stipulation for staying in good standing with the team.
Russell, whose 12-minute session with the media on Wednesday was less scripted and stiff than his first session in February as spring training opened, said he’s focused on “small goals” involving his relationships and baseball – knowing the first-day boos could be only the beginning of blowback on the field that has been constant on social media since the Cubs decided to keep him in the organization last fall.
“I’m here. I know that they’re going to think and say whatever they want to say, and they’re entitled to that,” Russell said of those who believe he doesn’t deserve to play for the Cubs again. “And I respect them for that. The thing is I’m here and I have an opportunity to help this team win.”
For teammates who spent all of spring training around Russell, including an address to the group and private conversations about his suspension and work off the field, Wednesday’s return seemed to represent little distraction beyond extra media questions.
“It’s going to be seamless for us,” teammate Jason Heyward said. “I don’t know about for y’all. We’ve got baseball to play.”
Said Albert Almora Jr.: “In spring training, we all were working our butts off learning a lot more about this situation [through team training sessions], and he kept working at it. It’s all we can ask. Right now we’re not thinking about that.”
Beyond expecting to play second base instead of shortstop for now, Russell’s “conditional second chance” remains a work in progress – and will for as long as he is with this club.
Epstein said he is confident that progress has been made “to this point” through his intimate involvement in Russell’s off-the-field work, including conversations with the ex-wife he abused and others in his inner circle.
“I know that I’m making great strides,” Russell said. “I know it’s a long road ahead and there is no finish line, but I’m committed to this.”
Russell hadn’t played in a major-league game since Sept. 19.
Since Russell was put on administrative leave Sept. 21 after his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, made allegations that he physically and mentally abused her, the Cubs have said they’re offering him a “conditional second chance.”
“A great majority of the work lies ahead,” Epstein said.
Epstein also said that Russell has been in “full compliance” with the league-mandated treatment program and also sought out his own treatment.
“He had to put in a lot of hard work to grow as a person and improve the relationships in his life to become a better father, partner, teammate and citizen,” Epstein said. “I can say that I have remained personally involved in this process and Addison’s treatment and he has been compliant until this point with the conditions that we have laid out. This is not a finish line, this [isn’t] the end of the road … He’s made progress.”
Russell was optioned to Iowa on May 2 after he completed the final 28 games of his suspension this season. With Iowa, he’s been hitting .222 with two doubles and three home runs.
