Heyward embraces role as "OG"
- Eugene McIntosh (@stayhumble)
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
In his 16th season, "J-Hey" embraces his role as the respected veteran aka the "OG" in the San Diego clubhouse.
CHICAGO — Jason Heyward spent the weekend in the place he calls home in the offseason as the Cubs dealt the San Diego Padres their first two losses of the season.
"Coming to Wrigley Field never gets old and the love will always be there," he said after the Cubs 8-7 loss in the finale of the three game spread. “First and foremost as a baseball player and a baseball fan and someone who loves the game, Wrigley is easily one of the best spots to play in - in the sport. That’s always super cool. But then you talk about 2016 and the World Series team and the other teams we had here on that run, that’s something no one will ever be able to take away from me or any of the guys in that group. So to have the opportunity to still be going almost 10 years later, I think that’s special. Then to have added another ring. Those things are all special but that just adds to what’s special about coming back to Wrigley.”
In his 16th season, "J-Hey" embraces his role as the respected veteran, aka the "OG", in the San Diego clubhouse. "Age wise it's Yu {Darvish} but as far as service time I think I am. I appreciate the spring training grind more and more and I never take a day for granted. I feel good and understanding the grind of 162 has helped me maintain. As long as there's gas left in the tank, I'll give it all I've got."
He also understands the responsibility of teaching the younger players how to be professionals and the importance of giving them perspective in navigating the inevitable challenges they will face.
“To be honest, I just think it’s cool to see young guys have the makeup and the character and don’t take the game for granted but I think that special character and makeup also comes from the unknown. Something that us veterans, which is fortunate that we have a lot of them in this clubhouse, we’ve seen a lot of things in a lot of different ways. You’re talking about postseasons, opening days, you’re talking about contracts, arbitration, when things go your way and when they don’t. I think what it’s about is perspective and offering that piece of mind and reassurance to a young player,” he said as Padres third baseman/6x All-Star Manny Machado nodded in agreeance.
Heyward spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and split the 2024 season between the Dodgers and the Houston Astros after seven years (2016-2022) with the Cubs. Spending time with exceptional players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts in L.A. to Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in Houston now to Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis over the past few years has been nothing short of special.
"It's been great watching those types of guys grind it out, reach the highest level and get everything they've worked hard for," he said.
Heyward has experienced the highs, the lows and everything in between in Major League Baseball and emphasized more than once that "being in the middle is not where you wanna be. "It's great playing for organizations that prioritize winning."
For a guy who's amassed over $190 million dollars in career earnings and is expecting his third child with his wife Verdana in August, his one year guaranteed $1,000,000 contract he signed in the offseason proves that it’s not about the paper but truly for the love of the game.
He hasn't spent much time in San Diego but says he's already felt the love from the fanbase and a city with no NFL or NBA team, despite being the eighth-largest city in the US.
"I've only been there for a week so I haven't done much but it's been good. The fans are great, they know the game and love their team. I’ll say this much, taking that drive from the Dodger Stadium back home, it's a relief. I only have a twelve minute drive from home to Petco."
The 14th overall pick in the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft and 2010 No, 1 overall prospect has a career .256 average with a .747 OPS, a .337 OBP, a .410 SLG, 305 doubles, 41 triples, 184 home runs, 720 RBI, 701 walks, 871 runs and 125 stolen bases in 1,796 games between the Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Astros and Padres. He also has only 40 errors in 3,454 total chances over 14,368 innings and his 5 Gold Glove Awards rank him 23rd all-time for outfielders.