The Chicago Cubs returned to Wrigley Field on Thursday on the heels of a 5-1 West Coast journey, trying very very like a staff decided to show its sizzling begin shouldn’t be a fluke.
But they flopped of their first sport dwelling, dropping 6-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers on James Outman’s ninth-inning grand slam off nearer Michael Fulmer.
While it’s simple for followers to get excited in regards to the 11-7 report, what number of video games will it take for President Jed Hoyer to really feel that is who the Cubs actually are?
“One (hundred) forty,” Hoyer mentioned with fun.
That can be one other 122 video games, or effectively into the playoff race in September. By that time the Bears shall be again and hogging the highlight once more, as occurs in Chicago even when one or each of the baseball groups are contenders.
When Hoyer turned severe, he mentioned the factor that inspired him most in regards to the begin was the actual fact the staff believes in itself and comes into every sport ready to win.
“They come in every day prepared, they’re talking about baseball all the time, there’s real intensity there all the time,” Hoyer mentioned. “The effort level to me I know isn’t going to wane, and that part I’m really excited about.”
Hoyer is aware of it’s early. He pointed to Jameson Taillon’s groin harm as a possible take a look at of their rotation depth and is aware of different accidents will crop up over the season. But he likes the “clubhouse culture,” which consists of a number of gamers who’ve skilled a championship season.
“We have a lot of guys on this team that just love playing,” middle fielder Cody Bellinger mentioned. “And we’re just a team full of really good baseball players. And it’s shown.”
Bellinger homered and was hit by a pitch twice within the loss. The Cubs entered Thursday’s sport with 5 video games scoring 10 runs or extra of their first 17, the third time that’s occurred since 1901. The offense was second within the majors with a .286 common whereas the three.24 ERA was fifth-best.
It’s not an extended sufficient stretch to make any statements, however after the sub-.500 seasons in 2021 and ‘22, the beginning has followers clicking their heels.
What type of response has Hoyer gotten from followers?
“Total anonymity in the burbs,” he mentioned, referring to his transfer final 12 months from the North Side to the North Shore.
No one apparently acknowledges him in Starbucks like his predecessor, Theo Epstein. But they nonetheless can discover his electronic mail handle.
“Obviously it’s gratifying to start out this way,” Hoyer mentioned. “Hope we can keep it rolling, but the effort is going to be there, and I think the team is playing like we hoped.”
The opening of the seven-game homestand was delayed 64 minutes by the specter of storms, but it surely turned out to be a pleasant night time on the North Side. Before the sport, former Cub Jason Heyward held court docket with Chicago writers for practically 45 minutes, expressing loyalty to his new staff whereas displaying an appreciation for his seven seasons with the Cubs.
Bellinger was referred to as for a violation on Friday in Los Angeles when he took too lengthy to get into the field whereas getting a standing ovation from Dodgers followers. Reporters tried to persuade Heyward to take his time getting within the field if he bought in to get his personal pitch-clock violation and begin 0-1.
Heyward politely declined.
“You can call in (to MLB) and let everyone know there may be an ovation,” he mentioned.
Heyward wasn’t within the beginning lineup however walked within the ninth earlier than Outman’s go-ahead grand slam. Heyward was introduced to the gang earlier than the opening pitch and acquired a loud ovation however heard each boos and cheers when he got here to the plate. He joined an extended line of former members of the 2016 Cubs, together with Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant, who have been handled royally upon their return as opposing gamers. Heyward joked that Anthony Rizzo or Javier Baez might absorb the adulation after they return and get two violations.
The solely member of the 2016 Cubs who was booed throughout his return was catcher Miguel Montero in 2017. “I really don’t care,” Montero mentioned afterward. “They cheered a lot of big hits when I was here, and whether they hate me or love me, they’re going to remember me forever.”
The similar will be mentioned of Heyward, one of many final gamers left from that staff till being launched after the 2022 season. He nonetheless calls Chicago dwelling and opened the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy in February in North Austin to assist youngsters develop their expertise and to make an affect the group.
Kyle Hendricks is the final participant standing from the 2016 Cubs, which appears onerous to consider contemplating how beloved that staff is in Chicago. Heyward mentioned it’s not unusual in any respect.
“My first three years in the big leagues we had really good teams (in Atlanta) and they kind of dismantled that,” he mentioned. “So it’s part of the game, the business side of things, and time happens. That’s why I wanted to sign with the Cubs (in 2016). I knew I was going to be with a group for at least five or six years, and see where that put us. We made some history here together, did a lot of special things.”
The 2023 Cubs hope to make the identical type of historical past with a unique solid of characters, and, after all, Hendricks and supervisor David Ross. It’s too early to say whether or not this group can proceed the success of the primary 17 video games, however Bellinger believes they’ve the appropriate stuff.
“It’s just the feel,” Bellinger mentioned. “I’ve been on a few. Whether we’re down or up, it’s always ‘waiting for our time.’ I think that’s what it takes.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com