CLEVELAND — Batting practice before Game 1 of the World Series is always entertaining. It's the chance for players to work out nerves and get loose.
It’s not often, though, that we see a player who hasn’t appeared in a game since early April take BP before Game 1 of the World Series, though. That’s what happened for Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber, though, and it was an eagerly anticipated showing.
And when he didn’t hit a single home run in his first round of BP, surely Cubs fans everywhere went into a mild panic. Never mind the fact the the first round of BP is typically reserved for more measured swings designed to get a player in rhythm.
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The second round didn't produce a home run, either.
Schwarber with several warning track flies so far, no BP HR yet https://t.co/RCL3Q2jhy3
— Matt Snyder (@MattSnyderCBS) October 25, 2016
Then, the big blast.
Schwarber hit RF foul pole, upper deck. pic.twitter.com/KavdoF2pnT
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) October 25, 2016
Schwarber's BP home run hit more than halfway up this thing. pic.twitter.com/Hab4wgQmgW
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) October 25, 2016
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And, yeah, sure it’s just one BP home run. Granted.
Doesn’t mean anything, really. Of course.
But if you’re a Cubs fans here at Progressive Field crazy excited for Schwarber’s stunning return, that display of power probably made you scream out loud. And if you’re a Cubs fan following along on Twitter, the rush of tweets talking about the blast made you cheer.
Man of the hour: Kyle Schwarber hit some bombs in BP, thrilling Cubs fans who traveled here. pic.twitter.com/npQs9gdEge
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 25, 2016
As if you could be any more excited for this one.