SHAKE IT OFF
Bryant homers in his first Cactus at-bat, says, ‘Bring it on’ to doubters
MESA, Ariz. — Kris Bryant delivered a pair of opening shots Saturday.
First, he hit a home run in his first at-bat in the Cubs’ Cactus League opener against the Brewers.
Then the slugger issued a warning to those who doubt him coming off a subpar, injury-plagued 2018 season.
“Even going back to college and high school, there were always people who say things, and the negative stuff stands out more because negativity sells,” Bryant said after hitting a tworun homer off Chase Anderson at Sloan Park. “People want to read that stuff. So that’s kind of the things that stuck out to me.
“That really wasn’t the first time I’ve been doubted. That’s why I think I am where I’m at in terms of my abilities in baseball. I read one thing, and it just motivates me to either shut that person up or prove them wrong. I’ve been doing that my entire life, so bring it on.”
Bryant admitted his 2018 season, in which he batted .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 102 games — all career-lows — didn’t come close to matching his 2015 National League Rookie of the Year or 2016 NL MVP standards.
But he took exception to those who slighted him, especially on social media.
“Definitely a little bit, but boy, it was great,” Bryant said. “When you’re not playing you have a whole lot of time to just sit there and either go through a Twitter rabbit hole and start seeing things about yourself and seeing ‘trade him’ or this and that.
“I’m like, ‘All right. I’m motivated. Keep them coming.’ ”
Bryant believes his bruised left shoulder that forced him to miss 50 games and suffer a power outage overshadowed his .302 batting average during the first five weeks.
“This game is all about what you’ve done for me lately,” Bryant said. “And boy, did I get to experience that last year.”
Bryant said he and his teammates are motivated by projections that forecast the Cubs to finish last in the NL Central.
“They’re selling us totally short, and that’s not a good thing to do to us,” Bryant said.
“When our backs are against the wall, we turn it on. It will be an exciting season.”