CHICAGO -- In a matter of weeks, David Bote has gone from an 18th-round Draft pick nobody knew to a Cubs hero, schmoozing with actor Bill Murray after hitting a pinch-hit walk-off grand slam. Maybe now people will pronounce the rookie's last name correctly.
It hasn't been a smooth ascension to the Major Leagues for Bote. To tell his story, you need to start at an airport in Mombasa, Kenya. That's where Bote learned he was selected by the Cubs.
It wasn't that long ago that the American League East race was a tight one between two teams that were each on pace to exceed 100 wins.