Chicago Cubs' Maddon applauds Russell helping 'Nacho Man'
ST. LOUIS - In spring training, one of the themes stressed by Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was being “uncomfortable.”
That's why he was happy to see shortstop Addison Russell carry a tray of nachos out to a fan down the left-field line and taking a selfie after making a play and causing the fan to lose his nachos during Monday night's game.
“The 'be uncomfortable' component, it's been uncomfortable for the most part,” Maddon said of the season Tuesday. “And I think they kind of get that now. The authenticity, I have so much faith in our guys, and that's why I talk about trusting your players all the time.
“Perfectly demonstrated last night by Addy bringing out a tray of nachos and then pausing for a selfie. That is so out of his comfort zone, it is fabulous. That, to me, is worth even a higher level of play than postseason.
“It just tells me that our guys are pretty confident, and they're confident in their own skin, which I really love. They also know there's not going to be repercussions coming from me, which I really love, too, that they can be themselves.
“They know that I would probably giggle at something like that because what is it worth? Is that worth getting upset about? In 1,000 years it isn't.”
Official Baseball Rulebook, Rule 6.01 (n):
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs)
If a player brings you nachos, they automatically become your new favorite player.
Cub> president Theo Epstein was asked about it, and he chimed in with a quip: “I thought that whole thing was kind of cheesy.”
<h3 class="leadin">Baez banged up:
Infielder Javier Baez was not in Tuesday's starting lineup, one day after fouling a pitch off his right leg.
Joe Maddon wanted to give shortstop Addison Russell the night off, so he started Ben Zobrist at second base and Mike Freeman at short.
Maddon also said he needs to get a day off for catcher Willson Contreras.
<h3 class="leadin">Light 'em up:
Kris Bryant was surprised that fireworks went off after he hit a home run Monday night at Busch Stadium.
“I didn't realize it until I got in the dugout, honestly,” he said. “That was really funny. I'm sure it was accidental. It really makes you think it's a long season for those guys, too. It's all right.”
According to the Cubs and FanGraphs, Bryant leads the National League in wins above replacement, at 6.8. That trailed only the Yankees' Aaron Judge (7.6) and Houston's Jose Altuve (7.4) for tops in the majors.
“I hear about it on TV every day,” Bryant said of advanced stats. “You can't get away from it, all these crazy numbers … I take pride in just being a complete player and doing everything I can: baserunning, defense, taking an extra base, and I think all that encompasses into all these new numbers that are coming out.
“It's just a byproduct of me wanting to be that complete player.”