SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — If you had any doubts about Ian Happ as the Cubs’ leadoff man — and really, you shouldn’t have if you read Sara Sanchez’ article on this topic earlier today — those doubts should have been dispelled on the very first pitch of the 2018 baseball season:
One pitch, 1-0 Cubs lead. It had been 32 years since a player hit the very first pitch of a season for a home run:
If you’re counting, that’s now six leadoff home runs Happ has hit since spring training began but his first leading off a regular-season game.