By Ben Friedl
Medill Reports

Although the Chicago Cubs decided to bring back infielder Addison Russell for the 2019 season, Wrigleyville Sports will not bring back its Russell merchandise, according to a store manager.

Russell, 25, was suspended 40 games on October 3 for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. As a result, Wrigleyville Sports has taken a stance by removing any merchandise that says “Russell” from their stores.

“Ultimately everyone made a decision to send it all back to the warehouse. Even if people come in looking for it, it becomes a question of should we sell it?” said Rhiannon Foard, one of the managers of Wrigleyville Sports.

​While Wrigleyville Sports removed all Russell merchandise last season, the official Cubs Team Store continues to sell Addison Russell jerseys at full price.

“It is company policy to continue selling a player’s jersey until they either retire or are traded from the team,” store supervisor Angela Maldonado said.

The Chicago Cubs did not reply to a request from Medill Reports for comment regarding Wrigleyville Sports’ exclusion of Russell’s merchandise from sales.

Get caught up with the chronology of Russell’s recent suspension in the timeline below: