Soler Power
In a previous blog post, I have highlighted working with the Peoria Chiefs Minor League Baseball team during the summer of 2012.
It was the summer of Javy Baez in Peoria, Illinois, and for a short time at the end of the 2012 season, Jorge Soler sported a Chiefs uniform.
Unfortunately, Soler’s debut came on the road (I only worked home games as a broadcast producer and also filled in as PA announcer).
Since Soler’s Midwest League debut occurred at the end of the season, my Chiefs work schedule was minimal because I was in charge of thé Leathernecks Sports Network at Western Illinois University and had plenty of work on my plate with WIU football once August rolled around. So, I never got to see Jorge Soler with thé Peoria Chiefs.
It was exciting following Soler throughout the Cubs farm system. What a fun time for Cubs minor league baseball with Soler, Baez, Albert Almora, and Kris Bryant around that time.
Soler made quite the splash upon making his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs on August 27, 2014, hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds. By 2015, Soler had become a regular and was even given a Bobblehead day at Wrigley Field on July 25, 2015.
I was there that day, on a hot day in the bleachers. Soler didn’t get a hit that day against the Philadelphia Phillies, but neither did any of his Cubs teammates. For the first time in 50 years, the Chicago Cubs were no hit. That pitcher - Cole Hamels - is now in thé Cubs rotation and pitched well these past two seasons.
Back to “Hip Hip Jorge.” Hé was dealt to the Kansas City Royals for closer Wade Davis. Early on it appeared the Cubs won that trade as David racked up thé saves while Soler was demoted to thé Omaha Storm Chasers.
With the 2019 baseball season behind us, Soler stepped it up and bombed 48 home runs leading the American League in that category. He also appeared in all 162 Royals games this season.
The last few Soler baseball cards pictured here are courtesy of Paul in New York. He also hit the sweet spot with a 2019 Topps Heritage Cloth Sticker.
A 2016 Donruss Anthony Rizzo serial numbered 12/101.
Some early Willson Contreras cards from 2016 Bowman and 2016 Bowman Platinum.
These 2015 Bowman’s Best cards are SUPER thick!
And will this former Cubs catcher be the next Chicago Cubs manager? I guess time will tell.
One Million Cubs Project Stats Saturday's (9/28/2019) Cards: 72
Saturday's (9/28/2019) Packages: 1
January's Cubs Count: 9,343
February's Cubs Count: 8,980
March's Cubs Count: 15,704
April's Cubs Count: 11,651
May's Cubs Count: 7,273
June's Cubs Count: 7,690
July's Cubs Count: 10,803
August's Cubs Count: 11,929
September's Cubs Count: 9,127
October's Cubs Count: 217
Total Trades/Donations: 252
Trade States of Origin: Arizona (4) Alabama (5)
Arkansas California (20)
Colorado (5) Connecticut (13)
Delaware
Florida (9)
Georgia (3)
Idaho (3) Illinois (19) Indiana (5)
Iowa (2)
Kansas
Kentucky (2)
Louisiana Maryland (10) Massachusetts (10)
Michigan Minnesota (3)
Mississippi
Missouri (4)
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire (2) New Jersey (13)
New Mexico (3) New York (23) North Carolina (6) Ohio (14)
Oregon (3) Pennsylvania (7)
Rhode Island (2)
South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee (8) Texas (7)
Utah
Vermont (3)
Virginia (2) Washington (5)
West Virginia (7) Wisconsin (12)
Countries of Origin
Canada (1)
Korea (2)