Chicago Cubs Star Marvels at Hoerner's Work Ethic, Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs were at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, getting in a workout before Opening Day on Thursday. Nico Hoerner was among those first on the field, taking grounders at second base.
The club formally announced the 25-year-old's contract extension on Wednesday evening, and he'll be expected to man second base for the foreseeable future.
He's certainly no stranger to playing the position, but there is something to be said about fielding groundballs in the dry Arizona air compared to the brisk temperatures in Chicago.
Hoerner's double-play combination, Dansby Swanson, spoke with reporters after the team's on-field workout, and he was impressed with his teammate's work ethic.
"It's so well deserved. (Hoerner) puts in so much work, it makes me question what I'm doing sometimes. I mean, he really gets after it all the time. And he wants what's best for this organization, wants what's best for the guys on the team," Swanson said.
Swanson signed a lucrative seven-year, $177 million contract in the offseason, but he has only been to Wrigley Field as a member of the visiting clubhouse.
In his new home ballpark for the first time wearing a Cubs uniform, the 29-year-old stood in awe at his position on the field.
"I just went and stood at shortstop," Swanson said. "(Wrigley) is just such a beautiful place. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
We got a preview of the double-play combination on a couple of occasions in MLB Spring Training, which provided no shortage of excitement for what is to come over the next several years.
After a slow start to the spring, Swanson came on strong toward the end of the Cactus League schedule, going 3-for-7 with two home runs over his final three games.
He'll look to continue that momentum on Thursday when the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers get underway at 1:20 pm CT.
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