Schwarber gets roaring ovation at Cubs home opener
Kyle Schwarber limped out of the Wrigley Field dugout in full uniform, on crutches, and to the thundering applause of the home crowd.
The Chicago Cubs youngster saw his season cut short after tearing his ACL and LCL in a violent outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler on Thursday. On Monday, the home crowd made sure during pregame introductions to let him know just how much he'll be missed.
.@kschwarb12 gets a HUGE ovation as he’s introduced at Wrigley Field. Almost as loud as that one time… pic.twitter.com/MQTyCjgZxb
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 11, 2016
After appearing in 69 regular-season games last year, 2016 was expected to be an amplified version of the postseason, where he stroked five homers in nine games. Prior to the Cubs' home opener, president Theo Epstein revealed that he gets sick thinking about the injury.
"I still wake up every morning and for a few seconds I’m not sure if it really happened or if it was a bad dream," he told reporters.
The Cubs also officially placed Schwarber on the 60-day disabled list Monday, making room for lefty Giovanni Soto, who was acquired from the Cleveland Indians.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)