Cubs News: Kris Bryant tells infant son he’ll homer for him, then goes yard

Cubs slugger Kris Bryant promised his son a home run – then delivered.

This spring, Kris Bryant and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first son, Kyler. Of course, this year has been anything but normal – on any front – but on Monday, the Cubs superstar promised his infant child something he’d yet to promise. He said he’d hit a home run for him that night.

Of course, Bryant did just that – adding a critical insurance run via a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, taking Royals veteran Ian Kennedy deep for his first home run of the year. As fans, we all want to see the former NL MVP get going after a sluggish start. But for Bryant, as a father, I’m sure this particular home run will always hold a special place in his heart.

"“It’s kind of cool to be able to tell him that when he’s a little older,” Bryant told the media after the game. “He doesn’t remember anything now, just when he’s ready to get fed, when he’s ready to go to sleep and when’s bath time.”"

The Chicago leadoff hitter has gotten off to a slow start in 2020 – but barreled several balls on Monday night, finishing the game 2-for-3 with a double, home run and a walk. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact he didn’t strike out, either.

So far, the Cubs have overcome Bryant’s struggles at the dish. If he can turn the corner and start doing damage atop the order, though, this already potent lineup takes on an entirely new form – one that is capable of rivaling any order in the league. That was the hope when David Ross named Bryant as his leadoff hitter, although we’re yet to see it fully realized.

Monday’s blast certainly won’t be the last time we see Bryant go yard this season. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played. Still, he’ll remember this one for a long time – and that’s saying something given he’s hit 139 long-balls in his career to-date.

"“That was the first time,” he said. “I’ll probably do it tomorrow, too.”"

Hey, if that’s what it takes for Bryant to go yard again – I’m all for it.