The long road back: Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell battles inner demons

Chicago Cub's Addison Russell, left, and his ex-wife Melisa Reidy.

Chicago Cubs infielder Addison Russell returned to the club Wednesday and was greeted with a chorus of boos and a smattering of applause after serving a 40-game suspension for domestic abuse.

He went 0 for 3 at the plate.

The Filipino American ballplayer was suspended 40 games in September for violating the league's domestic abuse policy after an investigation into allegations of emotional, verbal and physical abuse made by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy.

Russell, 25, was suspended 40 games in September for violating the league's domestic abuse policy after an investigation into allegations of emotional, verbal and physical abuse made by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, who is also Filipina American.

Before the allegations, Russell was a fan favorite for his timely hitting and sterling defense. However, he realizes the cheers have turned to jeers and that's something he will have to get used, to even from Cubs fans.

Besides league-mandated counseling, Russell also underwent therapy.

"I've just improved overall," Russell said to ESPN before he took the field. "Better relationships and communication with my teammates and family and friends. Just overall, I feel like I'm a better person," he said.

The Cubs have repeatedly said they want to be part of the solution as it concerns Russell and the "plague" of domestic abuse in society.

Russell's $3.4 million contract with the Cubs that he signed in December set conditions on the second baseman that includes following all league- and team-mandated guidelines for rehabilitation.

Russell's former wife's abuse allegations against Russell that she detailed in her social media pages are not unique among Asian Americans.

• 21 – 55% of Asian women in the U.S. report experiencing intimate physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime, based on a compilation of disagregated samples of Asian ethnicities in local communities.

• 18% of Asian or Pacific Islander women reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime in a national survey, as compared to 48% of American Indians or Alaska Native women, 45% of Black women, 34% of Hispanic women, and 37% of White women.

Russell acknowledges the difficulties of his therapy but just getting back to the Cubs is a small step. 

"Hearing from my family and friends and also teammates that I've improved is a lot of assurance for me. And just continuing my therapy, as well. I know I'm making great strides. It's a long road ahead. There is no finish line, but I'm committed to this," Russell said.

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