One controversial name elicited blowback when the Cubs listed the 2016 alumni set to attend their annual convention this weekend, which will feature a reunion of the World Series champions.
Former infielder Addison Russell served a 40-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic-abuse policy. He was put on administrative leave in September 2018 as the result of an investigation into allegations of physical and emotional abuse detailed by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy-Russell.
‘‘Every player who made a significant contribution to the 2016 team was invited to participate in the Opening Ceremony at Cubs Convention,’’ the Cubs said in a statement to the Sun-Times. ‘‘The organization commented publicly in 2019 on Addison taking accountability, serving his suspension and completing his extensive rehabilitation process before coming back to play for the Cubs later that season.’’
During his suspension, Russell went through MLB-mandated treatment and voluntary counseling. The Cubs allowed him to rejoin the team in May 2019 after he had served the suspension. They cut ties with him in December of that year, declining to tender him a contract for 2020.
Russell, whom the Cubs acquired as a minor-leaguer in 2014, spent his entire major-league career (2015-19) with the team and was named an All-Star in 2016. He continued his baseball career in South Korea and Mexico.
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