Montero details back ailment, NLCS Cubs grand slam in cool video

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Four years ago Thursday, then-Cubs catcher Miguel Montero sent Wrigley Field into a frenzy, blasting a go-ahead, eight-inning grand slam in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.

While Cubs fans will remember that home run forever, the team’s YouTube channel put together a cool video detailing the moment. 

Montero, who was dealing with a sore back at the time, says in the video he had two herniated discs and had an epidural the day before the game. Trainers were treating him throughout the game prior to his at-bat.

“I couldn’t even walk, but when I stepped into the box, I didn’t feel anything,” Montero said in the video. 

With two outs in the eighth inning and closer Aroldis Chapman’s spot in the lineup next, the Dodgers intentionally walked Chris Coghlan to load the bases. According to Montero, a left-handed hitter, the plan was for him to be announced as pinch hitter. 

If the Dodgers brought in a lefty to face Montero, Willson Contreras would bat instead. But the Dodgers stuck with right-hander Joe Blanton and the rest is history. Montero’s blast gave the Cubs a 7-3 lead in an eventual 8-4 win, the first of four to clinch their first pennant since 1945. 

Check out the video:

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