Love Letters From Pronk is an ongoing series where Pronk shares his love for somebody connected to the Cubs. Sometimes funny, sometimes weird, sometimes touching, Pronk likes to make 100% sure people know that they are loved, and best expresses that through gushing letters. Today's pick: former Cubs catcher Miguel Montero. 2016 World Series Champion
Dear Miguel,
You were a fan favorite during your couple of seasons in Chicago. You might not have been the best player on earth, but you were one of those scrappy role players that each team needs to succeed. Your pitch framing, timely hitting, and fun personality made you an asset to the team, and were also enduring characteristics to fans like me. The team was more fun with you on it, and you are missed. When the Cubs were winning it all, you were there, in the center of it.
I've got a couple of highlights from your career I'd like to revisit-
• The NLCS grand slam. Honestly, that's a top 5 home run for the franchise in terms of significance. It set the tone for the NLCS. Tie game, 8th inning, 2 outs, and an 0-2 count. Completely improbable. I could not believe it. Few situations will loom as large as that one, and somehow you came through big on an 0-2 count (.481 OPS for your career in that spot). The way you leaned back after crushing that ball was such a small subtle detail, but it encompassed the moment so perfectly. When Sammy Sosa would do his hop, you'd knew it was gone. Your lean did the same exact thing. That ball was out of here.
I've got footage from my security camera of that moment. We had a couple friends over to watch that game. It was tense, we were barely moving. You'll notice how I don't freak out and break anything. I was in disbelief. Did that just happen?
You also had that RBI in the 10th inning of game 7 as well. Often forgotten after Zobrist's double, but it was the final difference in that game. I won't forget that one either.
• Your silly, endearing hashtag, #wearegood. So simple, yet so fitting. There's a reason that hashtag stuck around, even to this day. In a way, it's your personality in a nutshell. Simple, to the point, a bit silly, and oozing confidence. It started off as a bit of a funny joke, but you really took to it and it became a rallying cry of that era of Cubs baseball.
• Your role as a fun, supporting role player. You were always one who would influence others in good ways. You'd jump into the odd situations headfirst. Position players pitching? You did that.
Just try not to plunk any batters.
Or one of my other favorite gifs, you and Rossy rocking out.
Listening to you speak after games, you were just a cool dude, doing what he could. You seemed friendly and down to earth. Just another great personality on a great team of awesome guys. There's a reason you were one of the loudest cheers at the Cubs convention this past January. Besides being a playoff hero in a couple of spots, your down to earth personality really shined through. I got to go to all of your sessions at the 2020 convention, and I gotta tell you, it was a joy to hear you speak. I was a Miggy fan before, and that permanently sealed the deal.
Bonus: You've done a lot of cool stuff for charity too! Whether it's huge donations to the Ronald McDonald House, appearing at Rizzo's cookoff, playing golf at charitable events, or later starting your own charity to help sick kids in your home country of Venezuela. You've consistently used your platform to help others. It doesn't go unnoticed. Whether off the field or on, you've been a contributor. You rock.
XOXO,
Pronk
PS: You should get on Cameo. I can think about a million Cubs fans who would love to get a video from Miggy telling them #wearegood.
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