No mixed feelings for Indians’ Kipnis, who faces team he grew up idolizing
CLEVELAND — Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis admitted he got “choked up” when the Cubs clinched a World Series berth Saturday.
A Northbrook, Ill., native, Kipnis grew up a Cubs fan and saw a stream of social media posts from friends celebrating the Cubs’ victory. He called it “a special perfect storm” that he will play in his first World Series against the Cubs and return to Chicago for Game 3 at Wrigley Field to play in front of so many people he knows.
But he wants to be clear on one thing.
“Let me reiterate — there’s zero conflict at all,” Kipnis said. “It was like, ‘Why do I have to beat the Cubs?’ Not, ‘Why does this have to be versus the Cubs?’ There’s not one part of me that doesn’t wish this curse keeps going.”
Kipnis, 29, first became a Cubs fan during the Ryne Sandberg-Mark Grace era. As he began to watch baseball more closely, he recalls trying to get to a TV every time Sammy Sosa was up to bat during the 1998 season.
Kipnis also lived near infamous Cubs fan Steve Bartman — who he said never should have been blamed for something any fan would do — and remembers police officers stationed outside of his house for protection after the foul-ball incident during the 2003 National League Championship Series. He would like to see Bartman throw out a first pitch during the Series.
Because of that background, the historical significance of a World Series between teams with the two longest title droughts in baseball is not lost on Kipnis.
“(Theirs is) the only drought that can make ours look small,” Kipnis said. “No disrespect. Both franchises have been yearning for the next championship, longing for it. I think it’s neat that one of them will come to an end here.”
Kipnis and Indians manager Terry Francona said Kipnis should be fine to play Tuesday despite a mishap during the Indians’ celebration after winning the American League pennant. Kipnis stepped on shortstop Francisco Lindor’s foot on “literally the first jump” and sprained his left ankle.
“It wasn’t exactly a mild sprain,” Kipnis said. “I got it pretty good, but we’ve done a fantastic job trying to get the swelling down and range of motion back. If we can do that to where I can run on it and deal with pain, there are certain things to help me manage the pain.
“As long as we get the range of motion and swelling down, I’ll be good as new.”
Kipnis said his close friends and family have told him “there’s no question who we’re rooting for,” but he’s happy for the experience no matter the allegiance.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to go home,” he said. “And whether they’re wearing Kipnis jerseys or Cubs jerseys, it’s going to be fun for me.”