Wednesday night was a big night for Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta. With 17 first-place votes, the 29-year-old ace was announced as the National League's Cy Young award winner, defeating former winners Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, both of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It's an accolade perhaps only Arrieta's friends and family would have predicted for him. Arrieta was never viewed as a can't-miss prospect or a Cy Young-in-the-making during his early MLB days. He's a late-bloomer who has made the friends, family and everyone else who supported him very proud, which is why they turned out for his celebration.*
[Elsewhere:*Houston ace Dallas Keuchel is your AL Cy Young award winner]
Among those celebrating was Arrieta's young son Cooper. In fact, Cooper appeared to be leading the cheers. At least when he wasn't busy stealing the spotlight.*
Jake Arrieta wins the Cy Young. Cooper Arrieta wins the internet. #CubsTalk pic.twitter.com/O45v3PdmiE
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNChicago) November 19, 2015
it's funny, because the Chicago Sun Times had already annointed Cooper as MLB's version of Riley Curry, the young daughter of Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry who won the hearts of fans during the 2015 NBA playoffs.*
On Wednesday, Cooper Arrieta lived up to the hype and quickly made us forget about Clayton Kershaw's bros, who returned looking for a fourth Cy Young award. *
Babies before bros for Clayton Kershaw, such is adult life. pic.twitter.com/agxgUobePG
— Mike Oz (@mikeoz) November 18, 2015
Good effort. Cute baby. But this night belonged to the Arrietas.
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Let the celebration commence.*


Though preferably without the champagne. Save that for after bed time!*
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813