Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez got a warm welcome when he returned to Wrigley Field on Tuesday night.
The game against Chicago was Báez’s first appearance at Wrigley since he was traded from the Cubs to the New York Mets in July 2021. The 31-year-old Báez spent the first 7 1/2 seasons of his major league career with Chicago and was part of the team that won the World Series in 2016.
“It’s always special to be here,” Báez said before the game. “One of my kids was born here, so I can call it home. I grew up in this organization.”
The Cubs honored Báez with a highlight video before the game. Before his first at-bat in the second inning, the crowd cheered with applause, chanted “Ja-vy!” and gave him a standing ovation.
Báez took a moment to raise his batting helmet in acknowledgment before stepping up to bat.
Báez was chosen by the Cubs with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft and made his major league debut in 2014.
He played a key role in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, hitting .375 in the NLDS and earning NLCS co-MVP honors against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which helped the team win its first championship in 108 years.
The Puerto Rican-born infielder was named to the NL All-Star team in 2018 and 2019. However, he has struggled since signing a $140 million, six-year contract with Detroit in December 2021.
