Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) turns a double play in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers of game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Count Addison Russell among rising international athletes with Filipino blood.
It turns out that the Chicago Cubs shortstop is born to a Filipino mother — and Russel is proud of that fact.
In a Mother’s Day tribute article back in May 2016, Russell credited his mother Milany and his father for helping him grow up to become who he is today.
“With my mom and dad being so young, and having to go through a lot of struggles and overcoming a lot of struggles together, I think that’s what has driven me to this point,” he told MLB.com.
Addison Russell with his mother Milany. Photo from Russell’s Instagram
“They were just trying to live their lives, and not for themselves but for their kids. They were a loving family.”
Incidentally, Russell’s wife Melisa is also half-Pinoy.
If Chicago succeeds to end a 108-year World Series drought against Cleveland Indians, he will become only the third player with Pinoy heritage to win baseball’s highest prize in recent history.
Jason Bartlett was the first Filipino-blooded player to win the World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, while Tim Linceum won three with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Addison Russell is starting at shortstop for the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. He has 4 hits so far in the 5 World Series games. Russell hit .238 during the season with 21 homeruns and is a Gold Glove nominee. He also played in the 2016 MLB All-Star game.
Source: Did you know? Chicago Cubs shortstop is half-Pinoy | ABS-CBN News
