What appeared to be a light warm-up before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers was actually the last time Jameson Taillon took the field in good health.
After just a few warm-up pitches, Taillon suddenly stopped, bent down and held his right calf – where he had just made a sound that made him shiver. A few minutes later, the medical team announced: “Severe calf strain – out indefinitely.”
“I’ve had two Tommy John surgeries, I thought I was fine… But this one, it’s really devastating,” Taillon choked up in his post-game press conference.
Taillon, who has been a symbol of resilience after overcoming testicular cancer in 2017 and two serious elbow injuries, once again faced a cruel fate.
The dream is still unfulfilled…
In a handwritten letter to fans – shared on Instagram along with a photo of his leg in a cast – Taillon wrote:
“I don’t want to end my career on a stretcher. I didn’t give it my all for the Cubs. I didn’t get a chance to take us to the postseason. I can’t thank you enough.”
He confided that, during his days in the hospital, the only thing that kept him going was seeing teammates like Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks continue to fight on the field for him.
“I want to come back, just one last time.”
With determination in his eyes, Taillon said:
“If I can, I want to come back to Wrigley Field one more time. Even if it’s just to throw one last inning. Even if it’s just to bow my head. I owe it to the Cubs fans.”
Fans everywhere have flooded him with messages of support, turning his Instagram comments into a “wall of love.” One fan wrote:
“Jameson, you beat cancer. Injuries can’t take your spirit away.”
If things go well, Taillon could return in late September or early October, according to the team doctor — around the same time MLB enters the postseason. “We’re praying for a little miracle,” head coach Craig Counsell said.
Jameson Taillon may be off the field, but in his heart, the Cubs’ flame has never been extinguished. His legs may be weak, but his heart is still moving toward Chicago.