Alderman Wants To Honor Cubs' Javier Baez With Street Sign

By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 1, 2016 4:57PM

Javier Baez / Getty Images / Photo: Jamie Squire

Judging by all the aldermen who whined at losing their Cubs ticket perks—or straight up bailed on work to go watch baseball—plus the fact that the City Council voted again today on whether to ditch the Trump plaza street designation downtown, you might think Chicago aldermen consider the Cubs and honorary street signs to be the city’s two most pressing matters.

Apparently, you’d be pretty much spot on: Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward) on Tuesday will introduce an ordinance to (say it with me) designate an honorary street sign for a current Chicago Cub—specifically second baseman/tag magician Javier Baez.

“Javier 'Javy' Baez Way” would stretch alongWest Luis Munoz Marin Drive from Sacramento Avenue to Division Street, along the baseball field in Humboldt Park, the Tribune reports. Maldonado’s 26th Ward includes Humboldt Park, which of course is a historically Puerto Rican community. Baez also hails from Puerto Rico.

Maldonado announced the ordinance on Facebook on Sunday:

One Facebook user called the news "wonderful;" another took the opportunity to chide Maldonado for the community's lack of affordable housing, which, true enough.

In fairness to the City Council, the meager agenda is to be somewhat expected with the election looming, as reporter Hal Dardick noted in this morning's Clout Street. But it really does seem to be all about either Cubs or streets signs. Also on the itinerary: a crackdown on unauthorized Cubs merch sold near Wrigley Field.