April 25--Since Joe Maddon declared in spring training that Tommy La Stella could wake up at 3 a.m. and get a hit, the legend of the Chicago Cubs' left-handed hitting bench player has swelled.
But since the final week of spring training, La Stella has proven he can be trusted at virtually any time.
That was evident in Sunday's 9-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, when La Stella started at the leadoff spot in place of Dexter Fowler and hit two doubles and a home run.
"He loves 1-2 counts, and he loves them at 3 o'clock in the morning," Maddon joked.
Actually, La Stella worked a six-pitch at-bat in the first inning before ripping a double off the center field wall that sparked a three-run rally. La Stella capped his performance by hitting a home run shortly after 3 p.m. local time.
La Stella, 27, who came to the Cubs from the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2015 season, was very humble about his sharpness as a reserve play.
'I don't think it's necessarily getting more ready or less ready," La Stella said. "It's staying ready."
La Stella joined the Cubs with a chance to seize more playing time last season, only to suffer a ribcage injury that sidelined him for most of the season. Nevertheless, La Stella returned for good late last season and was 6-for-14 as a pinch-hitter and started at third base in the National League wild-card game.
But with the signing of second baseman Ben Zobrist, La Stella seems content in coming off the bench in any capacity.
"Winning is the name of the game here," La Stella said. "It's been long enough for this organization, so whatever we got to do to bring home a championship;, that's what we got to do."
Maddon admires the unselfishness of La Stella, who is batting .364. in 22 at-bats.
"Some guys are clamoring to be a star, and a player can be annoyed when he doeesn't get that opportunity," Maddon said. "He's never annoyed."
