The Chicago Cubs celebrated their acquisition of Jeimer Candelario and retaining Cody Bellinger at the deadline with a 20-9 blowout win in an important divisional clash against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
With a 54-53 record and being just four games behind the Reds for the top spot, the Cubs are going for it.
They actually have the best run differential in the division at +67.
Tuesday’s victory was aided by an unprecedented offensive display, led by shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Swanson went 2-for-4 with two home runs and a whopping five RBI in the win.
In the process, he joined an exclusive club list.
“The list of Cubs SS with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in a game since 1960: Dansby Swanson tonight; Jose Hernandez, August, 1995; Ernie Banks, April, 1960,” Cubs insider Jesse Rogers tweeted.
The list of Cubs SS with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in a game since 1960:
Dansby Swanson tonight
Jose Hernandez, August, 1995.
Ernie Banks, April, 1960.— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 2, 2023
To have your name mentioned in the same sentence as Ernie Banks (whose nickname is “Mr. Cub”) is an absolute honor, and we are sure Swanson feels that way.
Banks was one of the best players in the league at a time in which the Cubs were usually near last place in their league.
He won two MVP awards and retired with 512 home runs.
Hernandez might not be a household name for newer fans, but he called it quits with 168 career home runs and a .729 OPS.
He had quite the underrated career, and had a dream game back in 1995 with a couple of round-trippers and five RBI.
Now Swanson, who is boasting a .796 OPS with 15 homers and phenomenal defense at short, has joined the club.
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