As the Chicago Cubs get ready to open the National League divisional series in Arizona the Iowa Cubs can take credit for being part of their run to the playoffs. More than 30 times this past season the parent club called up a player from Des Moines and many played significant roles down the stretch.
Iowa Cubs general manager Sam Bernabe says it is great to see so many players who spent time in Des Moines make an impact in Chicago, getting game-winning hits, or making great catches, it’s fun. He says the pitching and bullpen is also really centered around some of the players that were in Des Moines.
Bernabe says in his 24 years, there hasn’t been a year where they’ve sent as many guys to the big club, and they’ve had as big an impact as they have had. Bernabe says you can go to any position and find a young guy who has helped the big club get where it is. The I-Cubs have been Chicago’s triple-A affiliate since 1982.