Willson Contreras - Chicago Cubs

1) Willson Contreras #40 is a star catcher for the Chicago Cubs. 

2) Contreras was a rookie for the Cubs in 2016 when they won their first World Series Championship in 108 years. He was called up in June 2016 and became the 30th player in the modern MLB era to hit a home run on the first pitch of his first major-league at-bat. 

3) Willson teamed up with the Special Olympics this season as the 2017 Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby Celebrity Ambassador. You can help support Special Olympics Illinois by adopting a duck here for the big race on August 3rd. 

D: What do you like to do more...hit a home run or throw someone out when they are trying to steal a base?

WC: Throw somebody out when they are stealing. Yes, that's a good one. 

D's Follow Up: I thought Willson would say he likes to hit a home run more. If he hits a home run, his team would get more runs but I also see how he would like to stop the other team from getting runs too. 

J: What's your favorite Chicago food?

WC: Favorite Chicago food is pizza.

J's Follow Up: Pizza is one my favorites too. I thought he would say that because most people like pizza and Chicago is known for it. Lately I like MOD and Blaze pizza even though it's not Chicago style because I can put whatever I want on it.

On Wednesday, July 26th, the boys and I decided to make the trek downtown to meet superstar catcher and one of the top players in Major League Baseball, Willson Contreras. We love to watch Contreras call a game as he works with Cubs pitchers and we also love the home run power he brings to the plate for each at-bat. We believe Contreras has the potential to be an all-star catcher for many years to come. 

Willson Contreras was scheduled to make a special appearance at the Jewel on Division Street to meet with fans and sign Special Olympics duck cookies. Proceeds from the purchase of the cookies will be donated to the Special Olympics of Illinois. 

The boys and I waited for an hour and a half to meet Willson and we agree it was worth every second. With questions in hand, the boys introduced themselves to Willson and he repeated their names back to them and eagerly awaited their questions. First up was Jordan. He's really become a pro at approaching his favorite athletes. He calmly asked Willson what his favorite Chicago food is. Coming from Venezuela, we were unsure what he might choose as his favorite but we know most people love pizza. Like us, Willson loves Chicago's pizza but we wish we would've found out his favorite local spot because we'd be happy to meet him there!

Up next was our favorite seven year old and Kyle Schwarber's #1 fan, Danny Vincent. I thought his question was great and Willson agreed by telling him that after he answered. Would you rather hit a home run or throw a base runner out? One thing that seems to be a constant is players are just as excited to make a defensive stop in their sport as they are to make a big impact on offense. Contreras said he prefers to throw the base runner out if he has to choose between the two. 

In my short co-ed softball career, I understand the rush you get making a big defensive stop when your team needs you to. Most people consider catcher to be the most important position in baseball because of the tremendous responsibilities put on their shoulders. Catchers must know everything about everyone at all times. From knowing every hitter in the lineup, to understanding his pitcher's strengths and also knowing where the defense is lined up, catchers have a ton of information to process. Combine that with being the most physically demanding position, I understand that a catcher would love to help their team out in a major way by making a pinpoint throw to tag out a base runner.

With all that said, I can imagine the rush you would get by hitting a home run over the ivy in Wrigley Field on gorgeous day game in July. That feeling would never get old to me.

We had a fun time meeting a great baseball player and an even better person, Willson Contreras. Thanks to Jewel for hosting such a sweet event and to Willson for taking the time during the Crosstown Classic to meet with fans and raise money for the Special Olympians of Illinois. It was a day we'll never forget.

Albert Almora Jr. - Chicago Cubs

1) Albert Almora Jr. was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as the sixth pick in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.

2) Almora Jr. made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs on June 7th, 2016 and went on to become a World Series champion later that season.

3) Albert scored the go ahead run in the 10th inning of game 7 of the World Series as a pinch runner to put the Cubs up 7-6 in a game they would eventually win 8-7! The Cubs earned their first World Series victory since 1908.

D: Who is the strongest player on the Chicago Cubs and how often do you use the fitness room?

Albert Almora Jr.: I'm going to go with Kyle Schwarber as the strongest guy on our team and I try to get to our workout room two to three times a week.

D's Follow Up: I actually thought he (Albert Almora Jr.) was the strongest on the team. Looking at his picture I thought he looked so strong. I think its pretty cool that Kyle Schwarber is the strongest on the team. I was wearing his shirt today and Schwarber is my favorite on the Cubs.

J: Who is the funniest player in the locker room and what makes him funny?

Albert Almora Jr.: Addison Russell is sneaky funny. Sometimes the way he says things catch you off guard and he is just funny. I guess that's also why I think he is the funniest on the team. You usually don't expect it from him.

J's Follow Up: I can see how Addison would be the funniest guy on the team. He seems to always have fun while he's playing on the field. 

We got to meet Albert Almora Jr. at the Goodwill store in Palatine after his Chicago Cubs defeated their rivals the St. Louis Cardinals thanks to a grand slam by Kyle Schwarber. We spent $20 in the store the week before to get a wristband granting us the opportunity to meet him and ask him questions for Vincents Go 3 on 3. Danny and I missed Jordan but Danny got some special one on one time with Albert. He was friendly and excited to meet Danny and answer his questions. We are pumped to feature a World Series champion from the Chicago Cubs on our blog!

I wasn't sure who Albert would say is the strongest player. My initial thoughts were Jake Arrietta, who is known for his "country strong" strength and incredibly tough workout routine, or Kyle Schwarber, who hits the biggest home runs and has a strong stocky frame. He went with Kyle and I can't argue with that one. Holding claim to some of the longest home runs in Wrigley Field history, Kyle Schwarber has shown his super human strength on more than one occasion. Kyle is also a family favorite as we were fortunate enough to meet him shortly after his World Series heroics.

Staking claim to Albert's funniest guy in the clubhouse is Addison Russell. We see Addison having fun on the field while he's playing but this was the toughest one for us to guess because all of the Cubs seem to enjoy being around each other and having fun is what their manager encourages every day. We also had the opportunity to meet Addison in November shortly after the World Series win and our interaction was short but he was certainly a great guy and we were impressed with the young 23 year old. 

These were fun questions to ask and we hoped you learned something new about the Cubs and outfielder Albert Almora Jr.!