WATCH: Ian Happ's journey to his 1000th career game |
Tony Crumpton
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- 16 hours ago
Take a retrospective look at Ian Happ's career as a Cub before he takes the field for his 1,000th career game.
Watch the video below:
Video summary/cliff-notes:
(00:05) Ian Happ’s career began with high expectations as a top-10 MLB draft pick, following in the footsteps of Cubs stars like Chris Bryant and Javier Báez.
(00:41) Made his MLB debut in 2017 and quickly became a versatile player, learning to play nearly every position on the field.
(00:55) Despite a strong start in 2018 (including a home run on the first pitch of the season), he struggled and was demoted to the minors in 2019.
(01:06) Returned later in 2019 and has remained in the majors ever since, becoming the starting center fielder in 2020 and helping lead the team to an NL Central title.
(01:17) In 2021, amid a team rebuild that saw core players traded, Happ stayed and transitioned to left field.
(01:30) 2022 marked a breakout year: Happ became an All-Star, won a Gold Glove, and stayed with the Cubs despite trade rumors.
(01:45) In 2023, he secured a contract extension and won a second Gold Glove.
(01:52) By 2024, he had earned a third consecutive Gold Glove and hit his 150th career home run — a record for Cubs switch hitters.
(01:56) In 2025, now the Cubs' longest-tenured player, Happ is a leader, fan favorite, and ambassador — celebrating his 1,000th career game.
(02:10) His journey reflects resilience, growth, and a deep bond with the Cubs and their fans, with more still to come.
