Ever since the Cubs traded for Nick Castellanos and Tony Kemp, Ian Happ has been relegated to the bench, used mainly as a late-inning substitute. It’s not an ideal role for a guy who seems to prosper with at least some regular playing time, but hey it didn’t show on Monday.
Happ pinch hit in the seventh inning and blasted a go-ahead home run to break a 2-2 tie against the A’s.
An impressive moonshot to right center field.
That 474-foot bomb was Happ’s first of the season and it’s also the longest home run by the Cubs in 2019. The previous long belonged to Kyle Schwarber, who hit a 473-foot grand slam against the Brewers during the Cubs last road trip.
Now, let’s see if Joe Maddon actually gives him Happ any starts at second base going forward.
