Miguel Montero Speaks: Regrets for Comments, Role and Responsibility, State of Cubs Clubhouse

Last night, Miguel Montero made some public comments about his pitchers’ (Jake Arrieta, in that specific context) inability to hold runners on base long enough for Montero to have a chance to throw them out.

Then, this morning, Anthony Rizzo went on the radio to, well, politely suggest that Montero handles things in-house from now on, calling what he did unprofessional. Unfortunately, Montero won’t get the chance to do that with the Cubs, because just a few hours later, he was designated for assignment.

Thereafter, Montero went on to ESPN 1000 to talk to Carmen and Jurko about the whole experience, which you can listen to in full right here. Below, I’ve assembled a handful of the questions and responses.

Did you know you did something wrong last night?

Yes, yeah of course I did. And I called Jake to apologize. It’s the heat of the moment, man. He’s grinding out there, I’m grinding out behind the plate. It’s tough. It’s the heat of the moment and ya know I said a lot of things, yes I’m responsible and I talked to him to apologize because you know I feel like he deserved an apology.

When did you find out the front office/coaching staff might be upset at you?

They called me this morning and they told me that they were gonna let me go. And I agree with that. All I have to say is ‘thanks’ to them … they were great to me, the fans were great to me … too bad it had to end up this way. I love all my teammates and they know that.

Was Jake understanding when you told him?

Jake was totally fine. He actually agreed with me … and, you know, we’re cool. We’ve known each other for a while now … he’s probably going to talk to the media today and you guys are gonna see he was cool about it.

If you and Jake were fine with it, why do you think they made the move?

I don’t know.

Do you think it has something to do with what you said last year on the day of the parade?

I don’t care, man, honestly. What I said last year was over; we’ve moved on from that. I talked to Joe and we’ve moved on from that. And, uh, you know what, man, when the team’s not playing well it’s gotta go somewhere. I hope I can be the [blame?], and I hope the team can take off from now. I’m really wishing the guys the best – I want them to play better, because they’ve got a great team.

Why has this team struggled all year?

I don’t know, man, honestly. Like I wish I would have had that answer and could I do something about it to help them. But I don’t know, honestly.

Is there something missing from the locker room this year? How is the locker rom

I don’t think there’s [anything] missing from the locker room. I think every player gets along great and I don’t see this as a clubhouse problem to be honest. It might be, I don’t know, people probably think it is, but … I never saw it.

Has Joe Maddon lost his clubhouse? Have some of these players lost respect for Joe Maddon?

I don’t know, man, I wish I could tell you but I don’t know. It’s a tough one.

Was being a back-up tough for you?

I was pretty happy with my job this year. I never complained. I was hitting well, because I … maybe the coaches everybody can say it, I mean I was happy, I was good, cool. You know, I was just frustrated. You know, you work your butt off and then a game like yesterday … they steal seven bases and Jake is frustrated because the blame is always for the catcher because they run all over you and that hurts. It hurts because ‘Oh, he can’t throw …. My career I have like a 30% throwing out guys – it’s also what I got here.

Would you do it over again if you could go back to last night?

You know what, I’m always responsible for what I say, but you know this one time I probably would regret, because … because of Jake. Other than that, I mean I like my teammates, I like the team and all of that, but this is a business. You’ve gotta move on. It’s part of the game … I really wish them the best. I want them to be the best.

What would you say to Cubs fans?

I really love them. They’re the best in the game. If there’s one thing I’m going to miss it’s playing at Wrigley in front of them, because they’re electric fans and they’re into the game and they love every single one of these players. And I want to apologize to all of my fans and all of the fans in Chicago, because they don’t deserve that. Other than that, I’m grateful to be a part of Chicago’s organization and I’m grateful to win a World Series with/for them.

Did you get a chance to or do you even want to have a conversation with Joe Maddon?

No, I haven’t talked to him yet. I’m sure eventually he’s going to call me. Joe and I were getting along pretty well this year.

Do you still think the Cubs can win the World Series this year?

If I’m in the National League playing for someone else … I doubt it. (clearly joking)

A lot of people have suggested as a group you guys miss David Ross, do you think that’s factual?

Nah. I don’t think so. I don’t know, maybe Rizzo misses him.