Cubs’ Fil-Am shortstop Addison Russell accused of domestic abuse

Chicago Cubs’ Fil-Am shortstop Addison Russell is mixed up in a domestic abuse allegation. CHICAGO CUBS

CHICAGO—Filipino Americans here came in droves during the May 16 reception of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. They most of all wanted to meet and greet Addison Russell, the celebrated 23-year-old Filipino American shortstop that helped the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series Championship since 1908.

Russel was a no-show, despite the assurance of the Secretary of State’s office in their press releases that the baseball star had confirmed to be the special guest for its celebration at the Illinois State Center in the Chicago Loop.

Many guests even came in Cubs uniform or 2016 World Series Championship T-shirts. They were still asking why Russell failed to come until a few days ago. Additionally, sportscasters were speculating if the Cubs management would pull out Russell from its starting lineup. Russell was in deep slump in his field performance.

Domestic violence allegation

The wondering stopped Thursday, June 8, when news broke that Russell was allegedly involved in domestic violence with his wife of one year, Melisa Reidy Russell, who posted on social media that her husband was having extramarital affairs; she hinted that he beather.

In an Instagram post Melisa wrote: “Being free to be able to make your own choices for your own happiness beats being cheated on, lied to, & disrespected any day,” a message that had since been deleted.

In a related report, a friend of Melisa, chimed in online: “Hateful is cheating on your wife, mentally and physically abusing her. Melisa didn’t want that out, but I’ll say it. He hit her. In front of Aiden and Mila. But let’s worry about Melisa being ‘hateful.’ She was loyal, forgiving, and kind. Still is. She found condoms in his apartment yesterday. Should I keep this list going?” Aiden and Mila are the couple’s young children. This Instagram posting has also been deleted.

Denial

The beleaguered Russell released a short statement June 8: “Any allegation I have abused my wife is false and hurtful. For the wellbeing of my family, I’ll have no further comment.”

The Chicago Cubs management issued a statement June 8: “Last night, we were made aware of a serious claim posted on social media about Addison Russell. We reached out to Major League Baseball and, following the protocol established by MLB, we will fully cooperate with the commissioner’s office as it gathers pertinent facts. Addison will not be in uniform tonight to allow him to work through this matter.”

Russell shared the spotlight during the lengthy celebration of the Cubs victory early November because of his grand slam on Game 6 of his ball club’s battle against Cleveland, which was considered a key to the ultimate end to the Cubs’ 108-year drought for a World Series title.

Russell is the son of a Filipina American, Milany de Ocampo, and a stepson of Wayne Russell, who adopted the future baseball star when he was 13 years old. They are from Pace, a town near Pensacola, Florida.

Addison, in a recent USA Today report, mentioned that he did not want to have anything to do with his African American biological father.