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Imrem: Cubs' Russell introducing himself to the world

Addison Russell is an example of how incorrect a sports writer can be.

Yes, me.

Especially me ... the Wizard of Wrongicity.

My greatest misses include a collection of contrary opinions on Theo Epstein's rebuild of the Cubs.

For example, for too long I wondered out loud whether trading Andrew Cashner for Anthony Rizzo was a good idea.

You know by now how that one worked out.

Yet my most dubious gaffe is turning out to be questioning the trade Epstein made for Russell.

The second-year shortstop's home run Thursday night led the Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the Dodgers and a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS.

“Pretty exciting, pumped up,” Russell said. “Not just me for me but for the team.”

On July 5, 2014, the Cubs sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland for a minor leaguer.

To me, the Cubs should have kept the two pitchers and built a contender around them that would have taken less time than their methodical rebuilding plan did.

Not only that but I read on a New York newspaper's website that the Cubs, short of pitching prospects, could have wrangled a couple from the Yankees for the two veterans they sent to the A's.

I also wrote that the article mentioned that Epstein was outwitted by A's vice president Billy Beane — and no baseball man wants to be accused of being outwitted by Billy Beane.

The minor league shortstop the Cubs received from the A's hit a big home run in Game 4 and another big one in Game 5.

His name is Addison Russell, who at 22 years of age is introducing himself to the world.

Russell is relatively unknown despite hitting 21 homers with 95 runs batted this year in his second big-league season.

How do I know Russell is relatively unknown in major baseball precincts?

Because during the NLDS last week I had to explain to a couple Bay Area columnists that Russell is better than the Giants' outstanding veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford.

During the NLCS a few more journalists, these from mlb.com, needed to be told that Russell isn't just good, he's really good.

Meanwhile, I looked wrong again. Russell, who missed most of last year's Cubs' playoff run due to injury, was in a funk against the Giants and slump against the Dodgers.

Russell wasn't alone. Most of the Cubs were having trouble hitting good pitching thrown at them by good playoff competition.

Included were Cubs veterans who had a history of excellence like Anthony Rizzo. Russell was this kid who was still trying to prove himself to those who didn't know much about him.

What critics might have missed was this is a really cool young player, intelligent and studious and aware of what he can do and what he's still learning to do.

“I've been struggling this season but didn't panic,” Russell said. “My confidence was still there.”

His confidence should be at an all-time high after this week's homers against the Dodgers.

“I still had the same approach,” Russell said. “The only thing that changed from last week is lowering my hands a little bit.”

Lower the hands, raise the profile.

Baseball fans are seeing the Addison Russell that I have been telling out-of-town sports writers about this postseason.

It sure looks like I'm getting one right for a change.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

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