Bobby Scales: A True Feel Good Story

Up until last week when the Chicago Tribune reported it, I never really heard of Bobby Scales. A 31 year old career minor league player, who finally got his first call up to the Major Leagues. 

Scales was called up Monday night after the Cubs placed pitching ace Carlos Zambrano on the DL. He made his major league debut against the Giants that very next day.

Now think back to the more memorable Chicago Cubs debuts. With the exception of Kosuke Fukudome's debut last year, none of them have been that great.

What makes this story such a feel good story is the way Scales stayed with his dream. He never gave up, he never put himself down, and most importantly, he always tried his best.

This is a story for the underdogs to root for, a story for the fans to embrace. Sadly with all this talk about Alex Rodriguez and his alleged steroid use, this feel good story won't be as feel good as it should be.

Everyone is paying attention to the A-Rod news rather than embracing a story that the Northsiders love. That's the great thing about Chicago baseball, the fans love the game and the stories it brings.

Scales was inserted into the starting lineup on Tuesday and positioned at second base in a game where some Cubs starters got a day off. Scales got right into the game action as the first batter of the game; Fred Lewis hit a grounder and Scales fielded it cleanly to record the out.

He also collected his first Major League hit in the fifth and came around to score his first run on a Sean Marshall single. The day was a day to remember and cherish for Scales. He got the ball from his first Major League hit as a fan tossed it to the first base coach.

The reality for Scales is that his call up may be short lived. The Cubs are expected to call up Randy Wells to make the start against the Brewers Friday, and Scales seems to be the odd man out.

I really hope Scales gets another call up this season and people can respect his story. I ask baseball fans all over the country to root for the underdog, and in this case the underdog is Scales.