WATCH: Kyle Tucker reacts to winning NL Player of the Week |
Tony Crumpton
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- 7 hours ago
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker speaks to the media ahead of Monday's game against the Texas Rangers about receiving the NL Player of the Week award, going about the business of baseball after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays and more.
Watch the pregame interview below: Video summary/cliff-notes: (00:00–00:30) Kyle Tucker attributes his NL Player of the Week award to the collective effort of the Cubs lineup, emphasizing everyone’s strong at-bats and team momentum. (00:30–01:02) He highlights his improved plate discipline this season, focusing on taking borderline pitches and drawing walks to create better hitting opportunities. (01:33–02:01) Tucker downplays contract talks, saying he’s focused on playing for the Cubs and letting his agents handle the business side. (02:01–02:31) He reflects positively on his early experience in Chicago, praising the team's hospitality and environment, despite the colder weather. (03:02–03:29) The Wrigley Field fan atmosphere stood out to him, noting how packed the stadium gets even in freezing temperatures, showcasing strong fan support. (04:00–04:28) He acknowledges his hitting approach—putting the barrel on the ball—as a good fit for Wrigley but tries not to overthink park factors. (04:58–05:28) Tucker finds it ironic that both he and Alex Bregman (former Astros teammates) won Player of the Week with new teams and exchanged congratulations. (05:57–06:24) He credits the Cubs clubhouse for making his transition easy, noting a strong team-first culture and support from teammates. (06:55–07:20) Emphasizes that baseball is a team sport—every player contributes, and he doesn’t take sole credit for success. (07:54–end) Tucker wraps up by saying he’s just focused on playing baseball, not overthinking outcomes or accolades, and letting things unfold naturally.
