Christopher Morel of the Chicago Cubs received criticism from former St. Louis Cardinals star Jim Edmonds for his celebratory antics after hitting two home runs in a game against the Cardinals. Morel’s first home run came off Mike Mikolas in the sixth inning, followed by another off Andrew Kettredge in the eighth inning. It was Morel’s second home run that seemed to bother Edmonds the most.
Edmonds expressed his disapproval of Morel’s celebration, calling it a “joke” and stating that he had never seen anything like it before. He questioned Morel’s actions, especially considering his batting average of .229 in the major leagues, comparing him to legendary hitter Barry Bonds. Edmonds also took issue with a fan who caught the home run ball, suggesting that they were taking up too much space.
Despite the criticism, Morel has shown power at the plate this season, hitting a total of 18 home runs. The Cubs’ victory over the Cardinals brought their season record to 47-51, while the Cardinals fell to 50-46 as the league headed into the All-Star break.
In addition to Morel’s performance, Pete Crow-Armstrong also had a strong showing with two home runs in the game. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised the team’s offensive display, commending their resilience after falling behind early in the game. He highlighted the quality of their hits and the overall performance, especially noting Crow-Armstrong’s standout day.
As the Cubs head into the All-Star break, they find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 8.5 games in the National League Central Division race. On the other hand, the St. Louis Cardinals are 4.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings.
Overall, the game between the Cubs and the Cardinals showcased impressive offensive performances from Morel, Crow-Armstrong, and the rest of the Cubs lineup. While criticism from former players like Edmonds may arise, the focus remains on the team’s progress and competitiveness as they look to make a push in the second half of the season.