The impact of Coastal Carolina’s win over TCU on Saturday in the College World Series could be seen in the Chicago Cubs’ clubhouse on Sunday.
When Cubs starter Jake Arrieta walked into the visiting clubhouse in Miami, a Coastal Carolina placard sat above his locker. It was put there by Arrieta’s teammate, Tommy La Stella. The locker room decor served as a reminder of a bet between Arrieta and La Stella. Because of the Chanticleers’ victory, Arrieta — a TCU alum — will have to get a Coastal Carolina tattoo after losing the bet to Coastal Carolina alum La Stella, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Things looked good for Arrieta heading into this weekend. His Horned Frogs needed to defeat La Stella’s Coastal Carolina team just once to advance to the best-of-three championship series on Omaha. The Chanticleers continued to defy odds, however, defeating TCU twice and moving on take on Arizona in the finals.
Following Coastal Carolina’s win, La Stella placed the reminder at Arrieta’s locker just before heading out to Iowa on a rehabilitation assignment. La Stella said that Arrieta has promised to get the tattoo after Chicago returns home on Thursday. The Cy Young winner has a loophole, however. According to the Tribune, he will get a blacklight tattoo of the letters “CCU,” which will only be visible under a blacklight lamp.