There is a tradition, probably not limited to the Chicago Cubs, where rookies dress up in costumes for a road trip near the end of the season, at the prodding of veteran players. Particularly as we head deeper into the social media era, it can lead to some hilarious moments.
Obligatory comment on hazing at the outset: in general, hazing can be a dicey thing, BUT, done in a limited way where controls are in place to ensure that everyone is on board and having a good time, it can be a fine thing. I say that as a fraternity guy who saw both kinds (our fraternity stuck to the gentle, everyone-is-definitely-having-a-good-time variety). I’ve always gotten the sense that the Cubs’ iteration was good-natured fun.
Yesterday was the magic day for Cubs rookies, and there are a few pictures floating out there of the good time.
Jorge Soler got it pretty easy – and accurate – I’d say (from his Instagram):
Whereas Javier Baez got the tougher flip side of that one (from his Instagram):
Matt Szczur and Logan Watkins appeared to enjoy their selections as Spider-Man and Flash (from Watkins’ Instagram):
Folks happened to catch the players all together outside the ballpark after the game:
I love rookie hazing day! #Cubs @GrimmReaper51 @kylehendricks28 @jokisch24 @javy23baez @rlopez_29 @JorgeSoler68 pic.twitter.com/JLJZUMyBDi
— Nikole Marie ⚓️ (@NikoleMarieee) September 8, 2014
I can’t exactly tell what he’s supposed to be, but it looks like Justin Grimm got it roughest.
And somewhere in Florida, Kyle Schwarber is softly caressing his Hulk costume, whispering, “Soon …. “