{"id":86899,"date":"2025-09-02T07:19:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T07:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=86899"},"modified":"2025-09-02T07:19:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T07:19:55","slug":"my-dream-is-to-play-here-chicago-cubs-carlos-santana-makes-his-team-debut-in-extra-innings-win-over-atlanta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=86899","title":{"rendered":"\u2018My dream is to play here\u2019: Chicago Cubs\u2019 Carlos Santana makes his team debut in extra-innings win over Atlanta"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Carlos Santana has fond memories of Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n

In 2016, he was a 28-year-old starting first baseman for Cleveland, which faced the Chicago Cubs in that historic World Series. The Cubs won in seven games, but Santana said he was happy to play in the championship.<\/p>\n

He is now 39 years old and still without a World Series ring. The Cubs signed the switch-hitter to a major-league contract Monday as teams were allowed to expand their rosters to 28 players.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of memories,\u201d Santana said. \u201cIn 2016, it was one of my dreams to win a championship. I\u2019m sorry Cleveland couldn\u2019t win but the first time I played in a World Series, we were here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The well-travelled Santana wants to win the ultimate prize. In a Cubs uniform.<\/p>\n

\u201cI come here (to win) a championship before I retire,\u201d Santana said. \u201cThe first thing I did this morning when I woke up is that I told God \u2018Thank you for giving me one of my dreams to play here in Wrigley Field and represent the Chicago Cubs.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dream is to play here and I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santana struck out on three pitches in the bottom of the ninth in his Cubs debut, but the team went on to beat Atlanta, 7-6 in 10 innings in front of a Wrigley Field holiday crowd of 39,673.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018My
Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly gets doused with ice water and bubble gum during an interview after hitting a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on Sept. 1, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim\/Chicago Tribune)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Catcher Carson Kelly\u2019s two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth knotted the score at 6-6 after the Cubs chipped away at a 6-1 deficit. Kelly\u2019s double along the left-field line brought home automatic runner Seiya Suzuki with the winning run for the Cubs (79-59).<\/p>\n

Ian Happ had three hits, including a fourth-inning home run. Reliever Andrew Kitteridge (4-3) picked up the win.<\/p>\n

Santana came to Chicago hitting .241 with 403 doubles, 335 home runs and 1,144 RBIs in 2,196 games in his 16-season MLB career. His 1,330 walks leads the majors among active players. This year, in his third stint with Cleveland, he was hitting .225 in 116 games with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs before being released Thursday.<\/p>\n

He played 52 games with the Milwaukee Brewers for Craig Counsell in 2023 and the two have mutual respect. But with Michael Busch and Justin Turner manning first base, playing time might be hard for Santana to obtain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s an experienced switch-hitter who has been in a bunch of situations,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cI think he\u2019s in a stage of his career where he wants to be a part of the fun and a part of winning. He\u2019s earned a great reputation in the game. It\u2019s good adding people like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cCarlos is ready to enjoy a fun month here \u2014 hopefully two months here. If you are 39 and still playing major-league baseball, that\u2019s your attitude. You don\u2019t have to prove anything. He\u2019s already proven it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cubs president Jed Hoyer said they were looking at Santana in July before the trade deadline and were glad they could sign him this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you add a guy who is used to being a starter and putting him in a role on the bench, it\u2019s something you have concerns about,\u201d Hoyer said. \u201c(Counsell\u2019s relationship with Santana) kind of made that easier. You can tell what kind of teammate he is. He brings that energy every day. Given his age and experience, he is excited to be in this environment and I think it will be positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photos: Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves in extra innings at Wrigley Field<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Santana said he is ready to do whatever is needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came here for a couple of (reasons),\u201d he said. \u201cThe energy is great. We have great players, fans and city. I know the manager, Craig Counsell. So, I\u2019m excited for me and my family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever the team needs me to do, I\u2019ll be open. I\u2019ll play whatever position they want. I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some other roster changes included recalling outfielder Kevin Alc\u00e1ntara from Triple-A Iowa and sending down Owen Caissie.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old Caissie didn\u2019t find much playing time and hit .208 in 11 games with one home run and four RBI.<\/p>\n

\u201cI let him know \u2018your major-league season is not over,\u2019\u2019\u2019 Counsell said. \u201cWhen you get down at this time of year, you think that your major-league season could be over. But I think it\u2019s important for him not to think that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alc\u00e1ntara, also 23, may also see limited playing time, but Counsell and Hoyer said that he could spell slumping Pete Crow-Armstrong against left-handed pitchers.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the Cubs claimed White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale off waivers and he reported Monday morning. He also played for the Brewers this season following a June 13 trade. Counsell said the right-hander would start in the bullpen but stay stretched out in case the team needs an extra starter.<\/p>\n

Civale came to the Cubs with a 3-9 and a 5.26 ERA in 18 appearances with the Brewers and White Sox. He pitched on Wednesday against Kansas City and gave up five runs in 4 2\/3 innings. On Monday, in his Cubs debut, he threw three scoreless innings, striking out four.<\/p>\n

To make room on the 40-man roster for Santana, the Cubs designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment.<\/p>\n

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2016, Carlos Santana was a 28-year-old first baseman for Cleveland, which faced the Chicago Cubs in that historic World Series. 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