One of the most important members of the Cubs’ 2026 team is living a dream that began as a child in the stands at Wrigley Field.
That’s where Carson Kelly, who was born in Arlington Heights, first envisioned taking the field for the team that calls the “Friendly Confines” home – and becoming the latest to become an “Ankin Athlete” in Chicago sports.
I just remember as a kid going out to the bleachers and watching games, getting there for batting practice, trying to get a ball,” said Kelly, who moved away from Chicagoland as a kid but frequently visited family in the area. “It’s really, really cool to have the kind of that full circle moment to come back and to be a Cub.”
That’s been the case since 2025 when he signed with the team as a free agent, continuing a journey that started when he was drafted by the Cardinals in 2012.
He spent time in St. Louis, Arizona, Detroit and Texas before getting the chance to fulfill his dream in Chicago.
So far, Kelly has taken advantage of it, playing in 111 games in 2025 in helping the Cubs to their first playoff appearance in five seasons. He’s continued that success in 2026, hitting .262 with ten homers and 52 RBI entering the month of September, where the Cubs are in postseason contention again.
Attorney Howard Ankin spoke to Kelly about his journey in baseball in the most recent edition of “Chicagoans You Should Know,” where Ankin Law featured prominent people in our community.
You can watch this edition of the series in the video.
