After criticizing Jake Arrieta by saying his speed to the plate allowed for the Nationals to steal so many bases, Montero was DFA’d on June 28 and traded to the Blue Jays on July 3.
MORE: American League wild-card race shaping up to be historically bonkers
Some might remember Montero’s time as a Cub for his grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
But not everyone. Montero was welcomed back to the not-so-friendly confines of Wrigley Field on Friday with boos. And who was on the mound for the Cubs? Jake Arrieta.
The Cubs ended up beating the Blue Jays in the first game of the three-game series, 7-4.
“It wasn’t the nicest way to leave Chicago,” Montero told CSN. “But it’s in the past. It was tough, it was difficult, definitely was hard. You think it over and over and over. It’s just hard because if that would’ve been the first time I said that, that’d be different.”
Montero’s comments about Arrieta weren’t the first red flag.
On the day of the Cubs’ World Series parade, Montero was on air with some strong opinions of manager Joe Maddon. Montero told the “Waddle and Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000 that he was “disappointed” he wasn’t given more playing time. Montero said he “was left out a little bit.”
In May, he criticized the Cubs saying, “We have to shake it up, wake up. We either come to play the right way or we’re going to have a short season.”
Ultimately, Montero’s choice of words were what sent him to Toronto. But the Cubs were able to secure catcher Alex Avila in July to help take some of the load off starting catcher Willson Contreras.
Against their former teammate, Anthony Rizzo managed a steal off Montero, while Ben Zobrist was thrown out trying to steal third.
Cubs fans are considered some of the most loyal in the game. Yes, Montero was part of the Chicago organization for parts of three seasons, but after his comments, Cubs fans did not feel there was a warm welcome to give.
