PHILADELPHIA -- Albert Almora Jr. enjoyed the biggest thrill of his young life late Monday night when Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey told him he was bound for Philadelphia and his major-league debut. With zero hesitation, Almora called his family back home in Hialeah, Florida to share in the celebration.
“It was pretty late, and my mom told me my dad was asleep,” Almora said Tuesday. “I told her, ‘You better wake him up. I’ve got some news.’”
First call-ups are always a momentous and joyous occasion for baseball players and their families, but Almora had extra reason to exult upon joining the Chicago Cubs this week.