Ryan Maxwell

Alex Bregman: “Growing up in New Mexico, I have these vivid memories of watching tons of Cubs games on WGN. When I was little, Sosa and McGwire were going back and forth in the home run race, and that was must-see TV for me. Then, when I was in college at @LSUbaseball, at one point I was playing for Team USA, and our squad got the opportunity to head out to Wrigley one afternoon and take BP. It felt like I was in some movie. I knew the history of that place. I knew all about flying the W, and ‘Go, Cubs, Go,’ and all the legends who have played on that diamond. It was like I was floating out there. Playing at Wrigley as a major leaguer has only heightened my love for that place. And as much as the field itself is amazing, what has actually stood out most has been the vibe all around the stadium. Wrigleyville. That feeling of everyone getting hyped for a game, the smell of food being grilled, the sounds of people laughing, kids having fun. And those fans … I could absolutely tell from my very first game there just how passionate they are. For me, that passion results in something that I believe to be extremely positive and important: a healthy pressure. Every game matters to fans like that, whether it’s the first game of the season, or the 142nd game in August, or the last game of the World Series. So there’s a healthy pressure there, and it keeps you going, keeps you giving your all, even when you may be dead tired or a little dinged up. With fans like that, you power through. You want to give all you have, no matter what. And this year’s team, I mean … we’re absolutely ready to bring a ton of joy to Cubs fans. Offensively, up and down our lineup, one through nine is a tough at-bat. Every single guy can throw a great at-bat at you. And when a team like that puts together quality at-bat after quality at-bat, it really wears a pitcher down. Then, on the defensive side of the ball, I think we’ve got one of the best defensive groups, if not the best group, in all of baseball. And that’s the kind of gritty, baseball player-y, hard-nosed group that you want to be a part of. I can’t wait to add to that mix. And make no mistake about it: I’m here to win. I’ve been around winning my whole career, from my freshman year of high school all the way up through this year. Pretty much every team I’ve ever been on has been fortunate enough to play in the postseason. So I know what a winning atmosphere looks like. When you get down to it, it’s a combination of every player in the clubhouse trying to be the best player on the team … but then at the same time also caring about their teammates, and about their success, about helping their teammates, communicating, holding each other accountable. I’m convinced that when you have a team that’s rooting for each other, and helping each other, and pushing each other, it creates an atmosphere that makes everyone better.” playerstribu.ne/Bregman @ABREG_1 | @Cubs