Cubs World Series champ Albert Almora Jr. wants to give back to community in life after pro baseball

ADDISON, Ill. (WLS) -- Former Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. wasn't eying retirement this spring. But when an opportunity to keep playing baseball didn't come, another door opened, allowing him to give back to the game he loves.

Ten years after helping end the Chicago Cubs' 108-year World Series drought, Almora is starting a new chapter, this time teaching the next generation.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

"Baseball has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. Now it feels like I'm still a part of the game and helping it in a different way," Almora said.

Almora was just 22 years old when he became part of Cubs history, reaching the major league mountaintop as a rookie.

"I was like, 'oh, we're going to win every year.' Then, when you lose, you really learn to appreciate it even more when you do win," Almora said.

After five seasons with the Cubs and years experiencing the highs and lows of professional baseball, Almora says his approach to training goes far beyond swings and stats.

At his new velocity training center in Addison, the focus is just as much mental as it is physical, helping young players learn how to handle failure, pressure and confidence.

"This is a game of failure. And if we can learn how to control that and learn how to master that, then all you gotta do is work hard," Almora said.

Almora's work ethic helped him win a ring, but it's the pressure, success and failure that now shape how he mentors young athletes both on and off the field.

"If I can still give back to the game in a different way while being with my kids, I think that's just as valuable for me," Almora said.