Addison Russell - a baseball star we can cheer for in the World Series

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Addison Russel kisses his wife, who is also Filipno/American after the Cubs clinched the National League title.

AFTER 71 YEARS of frustration, the Chicago Cubs are in the World Series and  due - in no small measure - to the play of sophomore shortstop Addison Russell. 

The Cubs won the National League title Friday (Oct. 21) by beating the L.A. Dodgers, four games to two in a best of seven series.

If you're not a fan of cross-town rival White Sox, and you don't have any skin in the game, Filipino/American Addison is a good reason to cheer on the underdog Cubs, (to mix metaphors) the Bad News Bears of Major League Baseball. The first game of the World Series between the Cubs and the American League champions, the Cleveland Indians startsTuesday.

RELATED: The Cubs' Filipino/American All-Star shortstop

Since the still-undiagnosed decline of two-time Cy Young-winner Tim Lincecum - one of my favorite players - Addison may be the antidote to that void. He's an All-Star calibre shortstop and he's just coming around as becoming an offensive threat. 

More importantly, at an age (22) when all the adulation can easily turn one arrogant and boastful, he remains humble and proud of his Asian/American heritage.