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By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA
(© 2017 Journal GlobaLinks) 

CHICAGO (JGL) – The mother of Addison Russell’s wife Melisa Reidy-Russell told the Journal GlobaLinks that her daughter is not a “Gold Digger”

Read more: “MY DAUGHTER IS NOT GOLD-DIGGER,” SAYS MELISA REIDY-RUSSELL’S MOM

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By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA
(© 2017 Journal GlobaLinks)

CHICAGO (JGL) – When Illinois Secretary of State George H. Ryan accepted the $25 filing fee on July 13, 1998 for the application for the Articles of

Read more: FACC HAS PUBLIC GARAGE & RETAIL FOOD BUSINESS LICENSES FROM CITY HALL!

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By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA
(© 2016 Journal GlobaLinks)

CHICAGO (JGL) – Addison Russell, the Filipino American shortstop of World Series champion Chicago Cubs, does not need to say a word about his affinity and love for things Filipino.

He can show them by simply unbuttoning his shirt, which will reveal that the tattoo he designed on his body belongs to a “Visayan tribe” in the Philippines where his maternal grandmother came from.

When I asked Addison’s mother, Milany Deocampo Russell about a Facebook photo if the tattooed body is that of his son’s, she confirmed, “Yes, (that’s) my baby boy and his Visayan tribal” symbol. The photo was provided to me by friends, Mike Enriquez and Marlon L. Pecson.

The photo shows a design that starts from his right arm and extends all the way to his chest, which looks like a coat of arm or star.

When asked the secret of success of Addison, Mrs. Russell said, “family is the number one most important role (in our lives) only after God in raising our children.

ADDISON RUSSELL EXTENDED FAMILY ALBUM:   Addison Russell (extreme right) with his extended family, cradling his brother, Tyson, 12; Kailani, 21, his mom, Milany Deocampo Russell, his father, Wayne Russell, Jr., and his sister, Marialyn, 16. (From Facebook page)

“We have taught all of our children that in Christ we can do all things as in Philippians 4:13 and that including having a loving and supportive family!”

The 41-year-old mother of one of the biggest contributors to the success of the Chicago Cubs baseball world championship said, “My husband (Wayne Russell, Jr.) and I along with his (Addison’s) three siblings have sacrificed every minute of our day to his sports football included."

In high school, the 22-year-old Addison was a two-sport athlete -- football and baseball. At 6 feet, Addison weighs 200 pounds, bats right and throws right.
“The money was tight always but that never mattered because we had my mother-in-law Glynis Craft (my husband’s mother) who sends any money we needed that we were short for utilities and tournaments. As the saying goes it takes a village to raise a child well in our situation this was very true." Mrs. Russell said.

“My father-in-law and wife (Jerry & Rhonda Russell) my mom and step dad (Michael and Delia Davis) all played vital roles in raising all of our children. Along with special people and coaches who knew that we were pretty much too poor to afford most tournaments lend a hand in Addison's success. 

“WE ARE RICH WITH LOVE FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS” 

“So, to sum up this part, I can only say when we had nothing at all we were always rich with love from family and friends who saw in Addison the very special talent he possesses.

ADDISON RUSSELL’S TATTOO:  ADDISON RUSSELL’S tattoo is shown when he was at a poolside as he cradles his wife, Melisa Reidy Russell. They have a child, Aiden. (Facebook photo)

“The impact of Addison and the Cubs going to the World Series is vital and important! I mean Addison is an awesome baseball player but he knows things that you cannot just train or coach.

“It's a God given gift I always tell him. He was touched the day I gave my life to the Lord.

“That's another story of passion I cannot get into right now, however; Addison is young and his work ethic is phenomenal.

“I think he brings great chemistry to the field with him and it's powerful because look how talented the rest of the team are. He is key to some major plays. Mr. Clutch I believe is one of his nicknames. I just smile. Addison loves baseball to the core of his soul! He always says Never Settle and takes that to life and the diamond (baseball field). He is a rarity amongst most men. He often says that he is still having fun and that is what matters.”

Mrs. Russell said her mother was born in Maayon, Capiz province while she was born in Olongapo City both in the Philippines.

At home, she said, her family speaks English but when there is Pinoy family around, they speak Tagalog or Visayan.

Home is in Pensacola, Florida, where “we are excited to represent the Filipino way of life in our home. My family loves the cuisine and culture.

“My American children and husband even eat with their hands! It’s the love of food that especially bonds our entire family together.”

Addison’s historic grand slam in the fourth inning in Game 6 of the World Series in Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio last Tuesday, Nov. 1, was the dagger that broke the hearts of the Cleveland Indians and dashed Indians’ any hope of ever coming back in the game and probably the Series although the Cubs were trailing 3-1.

After a pulsating extra tenth inning of Game 7 Wednesday (Nov. 2) that extended to early Thursday due to rain delay, Chicago Cubs’ left fielder Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double and catcher Miguel Montero singled home first baseman Anthony Rizzo to run the score to 8-6.

Indians could only score left fielder Brandon Guyer in the bottom of the tenth inning for the final score of 8-7 as the Chicago Cubs claimed its first World Series title since 1908.

The Filipino community in Chicago who knew about Addison's affinity to their community thanked God for listening to their prayers for letting Addison Russell and his Chicago Cubs win the World Series. (Contact reporter: jglariosa@hotmail.com)