Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell may not have the reputation as a power hitter that some of his teammates may enjoy, but he did something on Tuesday night that none of his teammates can say that they’ve done.
In the third inning of Game 6 of the World Series, Russell stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out against new Indians pitcher Dan Otero. On a 2-0 pitch, Russell unloaded on a swing and drilled a grand slam over the center field wall to give the Cubs a 7-0 lead.
With the grand slam, Russell became the first player to hit one in a World Series game in over a decade. Chicago baseball fans will certainly remember the last player to achieve the feat, as it was Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who hit a grand slam during Game 2 of the 2005 Fall Classic.
Russell also drove Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist home in the first inning, giving him a total of 6 RBI in Game 6 - tied for the most in a single game in World Series history.
And at just 22 years old, he's now the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a World Series game since Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle accomplished the feat in 1953.
With Russell and Kris Bryant both hitting home runs, the Cubs are hoping that a trend that’s developed during the 2016 postseason will continue. In 26 postseason games that have featured a home run, the team that has hit more home runs than their opponent has won 25 times.
