The world can be a funny place sometimes.
Late last June, Miguel Montero was catching for the Cubs against the Washington Nationals. With Jake Arrieta on the mound, the Nationals stole seven bases in just four innings, ultimately winning the game 6-1. The night ended with Montero famously calling out Arrieta for his inability to hold on runners.
“It really sucks because the stolen bases go on me,” Montero said. “When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time. It’s just like: ‘Yeah, OK, Miggy can’t throw nobody out.’ Yeah, but my pitchers don’t hold anybody on. It’s tough, because it doesn’t matter how much work I put in.
“If I don’t get a chance to throw, that’s the reason why they were running left and right today, because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It’s a shame that it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anybody out.”
Ironically enough, the Nationals signed Montero Thursday to a minor league deal with an invitation to MLB Spring Training. The move reunites him with former Cubs' bench coach and new Nationals' manager Dave Martinez.
The Cubs designated Montero for assignment for his comments, eventually trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays a few days later. He hit a subpar .216 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 76 games between the Cubs and Blue Jays while also surrendering a woeful 58 stolen bases in 63 attempts.
The Nationals already have a starting catcher in Matt Wieters, so Montero will compete for a backup position. He could prove useful in Washington, as he is a left-handed hitter that can hit for power. At this point in his career, though, his best days might be behind him.
MLB
Montero's stay in Chicago ended poorly, but he will always be remembered for his contributions that helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.
The veteran backstop hit a grand slam in Game 1 of the 2016 NLCS, propelling the the Cubs to a 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also hit an RBI single in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series, putting the Cubs ahead 8-6 in a game that they won 8-7 to clinch their first championship since 1908.