One year made big difference for Montgomery

SEATTLE — A lot can happen in the course of a baseball season.

Just ask Mike Montgomery, who came to Spring Training with the Mariners in 2016 out of Minor League options and a long shot to land a spot on the 25-man roster … yet he found himself on the mound recording the final out and picking up his first career save in the Cubs’ dramatic 8-7 victory over the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series.

Among the myriad of amazing stories surrounding the Cubs as they won their first title in 108 years, Montgomery cast his own unique tale. The 27-year-old left-hander had never pitched in relief until it became apparent last spring that his path with the Mariners was blocked by six starters ahead of him on the depth chart.

“In Spring Training, I was just trying to prove I belonged in the big leagues,” Montgomery said. “It’s amazing how one year can change things that way. It’s unexpected, which makes it even better. I really loved Seattle. I was shocked when I got traded. I enjoyed being there and I was rooting for those guys to get to the World Series, too.

“I didn’t realize what I was getting into here [in Chicago]. It was a little tough at first. We went to Milwaukee and I gave up a homer to the first batter I faced. What are the chances? Fans were all on me the next day and I was like, ‘Wow, this is almost a different world I’m getting into.'”

Montgomery flashed considerable potential a year earlier with back-to-back shutouts during a midseason stint with Seattle, but he ended 2015 at Triple-A Tacoma and didn’t earn a September callup after going 4-6 with a 4.60 ERA in 16 starts for the Mariners.

Knowing his situation with Seattle was tenuous, Montgomery pondered a contract offer from a team in …

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