Kyle Tucker's latest Instagram post has Cubs fans dreaming heading into summer

Kyle Tucker has only been playing with the Chicago Cubs for a few short months, but his family is continuing to establish roots in the Chicago community. In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, his charity, the Kyle Tucker Foundation, highlighted its "next chapter" in the city, providing support and awareness for hospice care programs. As part of their new efforts, they've also teamed up with Cubs Charities to host a Hospice Heroes Day at the Park at Wrigley Field this coming weekend on July 5.

This event will be the first Chicago-based function Tucker and his charity have organized since the star was traded to the Windy City in December. According to the foundation's official website, its purpose is to support "the compassionate caregivers and supporters who make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families every day" in hospice programs. It's a chance to give back to the community and spread the good beyond Houston, where he began his career.

On its own, what Tucker and his family are doing is a meaningful embrace of the city and a commitment to its betterment. It's heartening to see any player, let alone a newcomer who has become one of the faces of the new-look Cubs, take an active role in the community. For Cubs fans, though, it also gives another glimmer of hope that, perhaps, it can be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the team and their new star.

An in-season extension for Tucker has always seemed like a pipe dream. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. re-upping with the Blue Jays this past offseason, the right fielder is by far the biggest bat that will be available in free agency at year's end. Tucker is also in the middle of another phenomenal year at the plate with a .291/.395/.537 slash line and 157 wRC+ and an All-Star game appearance likely. Even if the Cubs went to lengths they've never even sniffed to try and extend him, there's a good chance he'd still choose the open market for the potential bidding war with the Dodgers, Yankees, and more that's bound to happen.

In that case, the goal has been to ensure he falls in love with Chicago and, maybe, would already lean towards returning to the Cubs. So far, mission accomplished. He's been vocal about enjoying his time with the team and, if his Instagram posts are any indication, he's fitting in very well with the current roster. Getting involved with his charity is just another demonstration that he's all-in on the city while he's here and views it as an important stop on his major league journey. It's not worth reading further into it than that, but it's more encouragement for Jed Hoyer and the Cubs to go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure he's back in blue for the long haul.

Kyle Tucker's charity brings a track record of success to the Cubs

The Kyle Tucker Foundation has already done a ton of good since its establishment in 2022. Inspired by the passing of his grandfather under hospice care in 2021, the organization has charitable efforts in both Tampa Bay and Houston aimed at connecting with physicians and raising money to ensure other families have access to quality hospice care. It has, among other things, struck partnerships with local businesses, hosted events like Topgolf games, auctions, raffles, and more, and honored local individual staff members as "Hospice Heroes" for their efforts in helping patients and families.

As long as he's here, there are likely other collaborations to come between the Cubs and Tucker's foundation that will benefit the city and get fans involved. There's no doubt fans would be happy to see those efforts continue for the foreseeable future.