CHICAGO _ The day after Addison Russell injured his right palm on a slide, David Bote took his place. And drove in seven runs.
"Ends up having his best game," a beaming Russell said. "You always like seeing teammates succeed."
Russell seemed genuinely happy for Bote just as he seems genuinely happy in general. One month after his return from a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic-violence policy, Russell spoke Sunday of "hitting small goals."
He wasn't referring to getting his slugging percentage back to its pre-2018 level. Though Russell has accomplished that, boosting it to .448 through the first 25 games after a career-worst .340 last season.
The small goal is to be a better, more engaged teammate.
"I would say I'm developing in the clubhouse," he said. "Making a strong relationship with these guys has been a huge goal of mine. Hitting small goals like that will help me to become the player I want to be."
In past years Russell mainly kept to himself, sometimes tuning out clubhouse chatter with headphones.
"He's a quiet guy; that's just his nature and it's nothing to be critical of," manager Joe Maddon said. "But he is making a great effort at being more open, more conversant and I love it. He is coming up to me about a bunch of different things."
Maddon said the two have talked frequently about the minor hand injury that cost Russell three games.
Russell didn't start Sunday night as Maddon followed his pre-series plan to give Bote the first shot against right-hander Adam Wainwright.
"My mind, my body, everything feels great," Russell said. "Everything feels 100% better than it has. I feel really confident about my personal life and my life in the clubhouse."
