“His unselfishness would be the first thing I would point to,” Ross said. To get an idea, check out Instagram, as nearly every player on the Cubs roster posted a tribute to Heyward before Saturday’s game, including Hoerner who called Heyward “ one of the most impactful people in my life.“ So what is it about Heyward that sets him apart as a teammate and a leader? “What he said during the meetings had a huge impact on me.” Suzuki also said Heyward helped him adjust to life in Chicago in addition to his leadership on the field - like getting acquainted with the nuances of playing in the Wrigley outfield. “He’s the guy that came to me on Day 1 and taught me everything from what happens in the clubhouse to what happens on the field,” Suzuki said through translator Toy Matsushita. Not only did Heyward switch positions, but he went out of his way to help Suzuki acclimate to life in Major League Baseball after his star career in Japan. When the Cubs signed Seiya Suzuki to a big contract before this season, Heyward agreed to move from right field - a position where he has earned 5 Gold Gloves - to center field at age 32. Just the person he is, what he’s contributed behind the scenes to all these young guys and fostering their confidence, teaching them how to be a big leaguer.” “I think a lot of guys can say that about him. “He’s the best teammate I’ve ever had, by far,” Kyle Hendricks said. But inside the clubhouse, he is revered not just for one moment but for who he has been on a daily basis over the last seven years. Heyward will always be remembered by fans for his speech in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. “He did a great job here - not only because he had the meeting in 2016 but all throughout the years, he was really pro. The way he went about his business here was perfect. “We know that he’s a really, really good professional athlete. “Since I got here, J-Hey has been one of the role models that I have on this team - on and off the field,” Willson Contreras said. It’s rare to see a player have the kind of impact Heyward has had on this clubhouse or in the community. “He’s been an extremely generous person with his time, with his resources, with anything that’s been able to help me in my career.” “He’s gone above and beyond as far for me as a young player,” Hoerner said. To pay homage to Heyward, Hoerner used some of the veteran outfielder’s walk-up songs for his at-bats Saturday, including “Follow God” by Kanye West and “Frozen” by Lil Baby. The fact that he was in the middle of that and a consistent part of everything else beyond it, I’m glad he’s getting the recognition he deserves.” “Those guys did what we’re all trying to do. “He’s a world champion here,” Nico Hoerner said. Heyward also had his own tribute planned, pulling the 2016 World Series ring out of his pocket, placing it on his right hand and showing the crowd and cameras. The Cubs honored Heyward at Wrigley Field Saturday, playing a tribute on the left field video board before the outfielder stepped onto the field to tip his hat to the crowd. That moment sums up the way Heyward’s teammates have felt about him - and talked about him - since he arrived in Chicago before the 2016 season. “For a guy that got called up so young and has been doing it for almost half his life now, to have so much appreciation for what every day means and how special every day here is, it was just such a great example as a young player.” He always wanted guys to remember how special this place is, how special the fanbase is, how important it is to be in the moment when you’re in the big leagues, because it’s such a short window and to really appreciate and enjoy that. “Jason Heyward is a giving, caring, generous individual that he always wanted the team to be together. Jason Heyward took Happ out to dinner that night to help ensure Happ still felt like part of the Cubs family. In what could have been the lowest moment of Ian Happ’s career, Jason Heyward was there for his teammate.īefore the Cubs broke camp in 2019, they made a somewhat surprising move in optioning Ian Happ down to Triple-A, ensuring the young, switch-hitting outfielder would not crack the Opening Day roster.Īs Happ was reeling from the sting of that decision, there was one teammate who stepped up.
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