Las Vegan Kris Bryant loves visiting hometown with Cubs
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Big League Weekend: sights and sounds
Updated March 17, 2018 - 8:47 pm
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant prepares to bat against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, center, fist-bumps assistant bullpen coach Franklin Font before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) throws to first base while playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant autographs items for fans before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) throws to first base while playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) in the dugout before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant autographs an item for a fan from the dugout before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant prepares to bat against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant blows bubblegum while returning to the dugout during the second inning while playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor looks to throw to first base after tagging out Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant looks up from the dugout before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) heads for first base against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant gets ready to bat against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant strikes out swinging against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a single against the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, center, fist-bumps assistant bullpen coach Franklin Font before playing the Cleveland Indians in the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs' Jacob Hannemann high-fives assistant bullpen coach Franklin Font (65) after rounding third on a home run against the Cleveland Indians during an exhibition baseball game in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor throws to first base after putting out Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant (17) during an exhibition baseball game in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant throws to first base during the team's exhibition baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward (22) reacts after making it safely to second base against Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) during an exhibition baseball game in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor looks back after striking out against the Chicago Cubs during an exhibition baseball game in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) makes it to third base against Cleveland Indians third baseman Yandy Diaz (36) during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Cleveland Indians center fielder Gabriel Mejia (32) comes up short while throwing to the home plate during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs fans celebrate a home run by Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, not pictured, during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game against the Cleveland Indians at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Cameron Hill, left, signs autographs for fans before the start of the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Markings are made on the field before the start of the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Randy Rosario signs autographs for fans before the start of the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) heads for third base while playing the Cleveland Indians during the annual Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
He’s the star of the weekend, surrounded by fans and autograph seekers everywhere he turns at Cashman Field.
Kris Bryant doesn’t seek this attention. It just finds him, especially in Las Vegas. But he thoroughly enjoys visiting his hometown.
The Bonanza High graduate is with the Chicago Cubs, who defeated the Cleveland Indians 11-4 on Saturday, as part of Big League Weekend. It’s a trip he looks forward to every year.
“Growing up having a pro team in Vegas, it’s just something that you look up to these guys, and now I’m kind of on that same field as them,” Bryant said. “It’s been really special for me.”
Fans swarm the humble superstar, who at age 26 already has been National League Rookie of the Year (2015), NL MVP (2016) and a two-time All-Star. The third baseman also has played in three consecutive NL Championship Series.
Bryant has been making the Cubs’ annual trip to Las Vegas since he was drafted second overall in 2013.
“Those first couple times I came, I guess I was a little nervous.” said Bryant, who singled in three at-bats Saturday before leaving the game after four innings. “A lot of people here, a lot of my family, and you just want to impress them, but where I’m at now in my career and kind of settled in, now I really just enjoy this and enjoy playing in front of my (family).”
Bryant hit .295 with 29 home runs and 162 hits in 151 games last season for the Cubs, who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. He’s excited about the team’s chances this season, touting its offseason acquisitions.
“We made it to three consecutive NLCSes, and when you start getting spoiled over that, I think there’s other things we need to look at, but we realize it’s going to be tough to win the World Series every year, it’s going to be tough to get there every year,” Bryant said. “I think if we can just continue on what we’ve been doing, we’ve put ourselves in pretty good position.”
The Cubs’ season begins March 29 in Miami. But for Bryant, this weekend was all about coming home.
“This is something I always look forward to just because it’s like a mini vacation before we start the whole season,” he said. “It’s nice to see family and friends and hang out at my house. I just can’t get enough of this city. I love everything about it.”
Contact Betsy Helfand at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BetsyHelfand on Twitter.
Game day
Who: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians
What: Big League Weekend
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
Where: Cashman Field
Tickets: ticketmaster.com
Quintana, offense lift Cubs past Indians, 11-4
Cubs starter Jose Quintana threw six scoreless innings as Chicago defeated the Cleveland Indians 11-4 on Saturday at Cashman Field before an announced crowd of 10,651 for the first of two Big League Weekend games.
Quintana allowed one hit and struck out eight.
The Cubs struck early, scoring two in the first, two in the second, four in the third and one in the fourth.
Addison Russell hit a solo home run, Jacob Hannemann had a two-run homer and Mark Zagunis belted a three-run shot for Chicago. Russell, Hannemann and David Bote each had three hits.
Bonanza High graduate Kris Bryant singled in three at-bats for the Cubs. He played four innings.
Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning for the Indians, and Brandon Barnes had a two-run shot in the ninth.