Kris Bryant dishes on life outside of baseball – Chicago Tribune
Oh, to be Kris Bryant.
He’s handsome, hits the ball a mile and has his face plastered around Chicago as a brand ambassador for Express. And if the Cubs can finally win a World Series — just 108 years and counting — he’ll be part of history.
We caught up with him in the backroom of an Express store, where he was busy helping hype the store’s latest line of white jeans, slouchy T-shirts and linen shorts for dudes.
Q: Three years ago, you were a college kid. Now you’re a 24-year-old rookie of the year on one of the most iconic franchises in sports and in a spotlight a mile wide. Does it feel as if things have moved as quickly as they have?
A: Yeah, three years ago, I was going to class and doing homework, and now I get to do stuff like a photo shoot at Express. But college was really good for me. It’s where I did my growing up, learning how to live on my own and to be myself. That really helped. I’ve eased my way into everything since then, so it doesn’t feel too crazy. It’s just about being the same person, whether good things come my way or bad things come my way, and to enjoy the opportunities I have.
Q: You’re already in the baseball spotlight and now have a fairly high-profile gig that puts your face on a billboard across the street from Wrigley Field. Are you comfortable with that attention and being in the camera’s eye?
A: I think they made me look better than I actually do look, so I’m very comfortable with it. (Laughs.) I think it’s important to do things you enjoy off the field because, if you just focus on baseball, you can go crazy. It’s such a tough game with a lot of failure, so for me to do things like this, it’s fun. When you’re playing, especially in Chicago, you’re in front of the camera a lot anyway. I’m slowly getting used to it.
Q: Was there a moment as a major leaguer when you realized everything in your life has changed?
A: After being called up to Chicago last year, things happened kind of quick, and people started to recognize me on the street. That’s where I stepped back and started to think, “Whoa, this is kind of crazy — I’ve never had this happen to me.”
Q: When was the first time you were recognized?
A: When I first got drafted, we were up here signing my contract and walking around enjoying the city, and a construction worker whispered to my mom, “Is that him?” And my mom was like, “Yeah.” It’s nice to be recognized by Cubs fans because they’re awesome, but I’ll never go out and seek the attention.
Q: What about the reverse — do you ever have moments when you can’t believe you’re a major league baseball player playing with some of the guys you’re on the field with?
A: It’s something that caught me off guard when I first got called up. I was facing players I grew up watching on TV. At times, you can overwhelm yourself with stuff like that. I still find myself doing it now with some of the big-name guys — Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer and those guys that are really good. You have to pinch yourself and remember you belong here, that you’re here for a reason and that they’re human beings too.
Q: What was your first splurge after signing your professional contract?
A: The universal thing that everyone does is buy a car, and that’s what I did. I got an Audi A4. It’s the smaller one. I like small cars. I don’t know why. Now I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Q: The Cubs play more day games than most teams, which gives you some free summer nights in Chicago. What do you do?
A: My fiancee and I will go out to dinner and try to find new restaurants. We’re from Vegas, where you don’t have too many unique restaurants unless you go on the Strip. But here, everywhere you look, there’s something you haven’t seen before. We really enjoy that. Especially the steakhouses. But mostly we’re boring. We sit on the couch and watch TV.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things about living in Chicago?
A: My favorite has to be the food. The least favorite is the potholes. Those aren’t too much fun.
Q: I see there’s a cross around your neck, below your shirt. Is religion a big part of who you are?
A: It’s not the biggest part of my life. I’m always playing baseball. But it’s certainly a part of it, and having a faith in something. I’ve always worn a cross, and it’s been a part of my game. It’s always there with me.
Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?
A: I eat a lot of bad food. Ice cream. Chocolate. At movies, I always get sour candy or Junior Mints. I usually make sure I have my own dessert. I don’t share well.
Q: Ice cream or cake?
A: Ice cream with cake.
Q: What do you think about between pitches when you’re up to bat?
A: I don’t think. When you think in baseball, it’s not good. I just look around a little bit, maybe at the scoreboard, or I might look at how fast the last pitch was. But in baseball, we talk a lot about how you do your best when you’re not thinking.
Q: What do you think about between pitches when you’re in the field?
A: That’s different. In the field, you space out a little bit more. But it’s more fun. You look around in the stands and watch what people are doing. You see the people dressed up in crazy outfits. And the games where there aren’t as many people, you can really make out some of the crazier things.
Q: If you could be a baseball fan for a day, how would you do it? What stadium would you pick? Where would you sit? What would you eat?
A: This is easy because I’ve thought about it so many times. It has to be Wrigley Field and sitting in the bleachers for a day game with a hot dog and a lot of ice cream. I can’t think of a better way to do it. Sitting in the bleachers is something I want to experience someday, but I don’t know if I can do that anytime soon.
Q: After the Cubs win the World Series, how will you celebrate? When all the Champagne is poured out in the locker room, where do you go next?
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