HUMBOLDT PARK — With Cubs fever burning at City Hall, an alderman Tuesday proposed naming a street in honor of Cubs infielder Javier Baez.
Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) wants to designate the west side of West Luis Munoz Marin Drive near a replica of Wrigley Field known as Little Cubs Field in honor of the Puerto Rican ball player set to take the field for the Cubs in the sixth game of the World Series Tuesday in Cleveland.
Luis Munoz Marin was the first elected governor of Puerto Rico. The street named after him surrounds Humboldt Park's namesake park in a neighborhood defined by large steel Puerto Rican flags.
Baez, known for his fielding prowess but has struggled at the plate during the World Series, was named the National League Championship Series co-MVP.
The move was prompted by Maldonado's 11-year-old son, whose fall Little League baseball team has been captivated by the Cubs' postseason push. Maldonado, who usually cheers for the White Sox, said Tuesday he is a fan of all Chicago teams.
On Facebook, Maldonado called Baez, who wears No. 9, an "incredible role model proudly representing Puerto Rico."
Born in Puerto Rico, Baez, 22, grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He has three hits through the first five Worls Series games.
Initially, Maldonado said his son and parents of his teammates wanted to invite all of the Latino players on the Cubs to Little Cubs Field for an event to honor them.
"I don't have that kind of influence," Maldonado said. "But I can do an honorary street name."
Maldonado dismissed reporters' questions about whether the achievements of the 23-year-old, who joined the Cubs in 2014, merits an honorary street sign.
"We are proud of him," Maldonado said.
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
