Jiménez fulfills Wrigley dream

CHICAGO — Eloy Jiménez dreamed of this moment countless times as he worked his way up the Cubs’ minor league system.

He fantasized of the day he would make his debut at Wrigley Field. In his mind, he would cap it off with a home run into the bleachers as the crowd at Chicago’s baseball cathedral erupted.

“When I signed, I said I want to hit one (home run) in Wrigley,” the 22-year-old Dominican said.

The dream came true Tuesday night for one of the best young players in baseball, but it wasn’t exactly as he had visualized it when he began his professional career in the Cubs’ system.

Jiménez stepped up to the plate in a 1-1 game in the ninth inning and ripped a missile to left field. It wasn’t a walk-off shot for the home team, though, as it would have been in his early fantasies.

Jiménez wasn’t wearing Cubby blue. He wore the black and grey of the crosstown rival White Sox.

“It was a dream come true,” Jiménez said. “Now I’m with the White Sox (and) it feels really good.”

Jiménez was the centerpiece of a prospect haul for the White Sox, who sent Colombian pitcher José Quintana to Chicago’s Northside.

It was a rare deal between the crosstown rivals, but revenge against the Cubs was never on his mind.

“I always want to show everybody what I can do,” Jiménez said. “Not just the Cubs, (but) everybody.”

More than any other club perhaps, the Cubs knew exactly what kind of player Jiménez could be.

“I thought he had the major league personality, or the aura about him,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before the game. “(He has) all the ability to play this game. He’s going to do it for a while in a high-end way.”

His game-winning home run showed that. More importantly, he kept his composure. Jiménez grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the first inning. The moment didn’t get to him. He showed his moxie, putting it aside knowing he’d have opportunities to redeem himself.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria is optimistic that Jiménez’s ascent can continue.

“He’s so young and just scratching the surface,” Renteria said. “I hope he continues to evolve and develop as a player and become one of those guys that everybody kind of relies on in big moments.”

Jiménez knew it wouldn’t be a normal game. He was expecting some jeers from the Wrigley Field faithful.

“I know I’m going to hear ‘You suck’ a lot,” Jiménez said pregame with a smile.

Renteria wasn’t worried about any heckling towards his rookie star.

“This kid has played winter ball in the Dominican Republic,” Renteria said. “For anyone who has ever played winter ball, I think he’ll be OK.”

He showed he was more than OK, rising to the occasion. He knew it wasn’t just any other home run. It was the moment he had played out in his mind for several years. Only the uniform was different.

“It was (an) amazing moment,” Jiménez said. “I just tried to hit a line drive up the middle. When I hit it over the fence, it was amazing. I can’t explain it right now, but it was a really great moment.”

Featured Image: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport