WATCH: Ian Happ reflects on 1000th game with Cubs |
Tony Crumpton
-
- Thursday, April 10 2025
On this week's episode of the Compound Podcast with Ian Happ, Ian Happ joined exclusive company by playing in his 1,000th game, all with the Chicago Cubs. Ian talks about what that milestone means to him, and what that day was like for him. After that, the guys talk about the Cubs hot bats, Mike Trout and Vladdy's new contract!
Watch the podcast below: Video summary/cliff-notes: (03:18) Ian Happ celebrated playing in his 1,000th MLB game, all with the Chicago Cubs. The team and staff surprised him with a celebration, which he found emotional and special. (06:06) Happ described the crowd's ovation on Opening Day as incredibly moving. He appreciated the chance to tip his cap and felt the love from the fans and teammates, especially Nico Hoerner's pre-game speech. (08:52) A stat was shared: Happ is one of four Cubs players with 3+ Gold Gloves, highlighting his defensive excellence and legacy within the organization. (13:12) Ian discussed a highlight catch near the wall that was rated as 50% catch probability by Statcast. He and the hosts criticized the system, noting it doesn't account for environmental factors like Wrigley Field's wind. (16:03) They recapped a wild Cubs game that included 17 walks and a long first inning. Despite challenges, the team rallied for a win. (20:08) The crew emphasized the value of manufacturing runs, like a player getting hit by pitch, stealing bases, and scoring—calling it “electric” baseball. (25:38) Cubs’ offense was praised for having quality at-bats up and down the lineup, working counts, and wearing down opposing pitchers. (31:01) Pitcher Justin Steele was credited for settling into a rough start and helping the bullpen stay fresh by going deep into his outing. (39:15) Ian reflected on his time with the Cubs, saying he’s developed a deep appreciation for the team, city, and people behind the scenes. The left field spot at Wrigley feels like “his.” (46:24) The group discussed Mike Trout’s legacy, wishing he played on a playoff team to cement his status. They debated his loyalty to the Angels versus chasing success elsewhere.
