Carlos Santana lands dream job with Cubs

CHICAGO –  Carlos Santana has been around the majors since 2010. Before landing with the Cubs, he had played for seven different big league teams, including two in the National League Central.

So it carries significant weight when the 16-year veteran raves about joining the Cubs. 

“First thing, this was a dream,” he said after joining the Cubs on Labor Day. “When I was a kid, I wanted to play here at Wrigley Field. “Everyone knows the history.  A lot of good things are going on here, and that is why I made the decision to come here.”

In many ways, Labor Day marks the end of summer in Chicago. Wrigley Field was showing off for the summer finale on a sun-drenched day with temperatures a pleasant and comfortable 76 degrees.

It was what dreams are made of for Carlos Santana’s first game as a Chicago Cub.  The veteran switch-hitter had played at Wrigley Field before, starting 21 games at the Friendly Confines over his career as a visitor.

Yet, you could sense  the genuine joy oozing from the Dominican infielder as he spoke to the media on his first date with the media contingent in the home dugout. 

The Cubs claimed the veteran Santana, who was released by the Guardians on Aug. 28. He was back at Wrigley Field on Monday. Santana spent parts of 11 seasons with the Cleveland Indians/Guardians. He also played for the Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins.

Santana, 39, had three different stints in Cleveland before finally landing in Chicago. The Cubs (80-60) sit atop the National League Wild Card standings.

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Santana, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has ties to the Cubs’ front office. He played for the Guardians when Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins was in Cleveland’s front office. Santana also played for Cubs manager Craig Counsell with the Brewers during the 2023 season.

“I’m happy,” he said on Labor Day. “First thing this morning when I woke up, I told God thank you for giving me the opportunity to play here at Wrigley Field and represent the Chicago Cubs.” 

Santana has 1,878 hits, 335 home runs and 403 doubles in his career. At this stage in his career, he’s willing to accept a bench role with the Cubs.

He has seen Wrigley Field at its best from the other dugout. He was a key member of the Cleveland Indians who lost to the Cubs in the 2016 World Series. 

There are no curses to break on the northside of Chicago this year, but the chase for another World Series title is real. That is Santana’s ultimate dream as he chases after his first World Series ring.