When Ian Happ made his big league debut, the champagne had been soaked up, the confetti swept away and Grant Park changed back into a summer playground after serving as party central the previous November.
But the guys Happ called his teammates on his first day with the Cubs were the ones who broke the curse. And though those guys are long gone by now, Happ’s still here.
He’s never stopped being a Cub. And despite a potential end to his time with the organization on the horizon — he’s due to hit free agency at season’s end — everyone got a reminder of Happ’s 10-season tenure Wednesday, when fans showered him with cheers after he picked up his 1,000th career hit.
A hustle double for Ian Happ’s 1,000th career hit! pic.twitter.com/N4emkgvmG9
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 4, 2026
“Man, a lot of hits, a lot of time in this stadium with these fans,” Happ said after the game. “That’s what makes it so special, just being with this team for as long as I have, wearing this uniform, representing the city … and the tradition of what’s here.
“To do it with one team, to do it over the course of my career here, that’s what makes it really, really cool.”
Happ ranks 37th on the franchise’s all-time hits list. And while no one is ever taking the mantle of “Mr. Cub” from the guy who ranks second, Ernie Banks, if that was a rotating title, Happ would have a great argument for owning it.
He’s spent a decade in the home clubhouse at Wrigley Field, serving as a connection to the group of players who achieved what was once unthinkable: bringing a World Series championship to Clark and Addison.
That’s not nothing, not when these Cubs are trying to accomplish the same.
“Ian’s extremely proud of his time here. And he’s connected to the previous generation, kind of the only guy,” manager Craig Counsell said Thursday. “There’s a sense of history from that. It’s recent history, I guess, but it’s still history. And I think that matters, and I think that’s important.
“He’s eager to talk about it, and I love that because I think we should all be eager to talk about history, I think we can learn so much from it. That’s a cool thing.”
Happ’s time alongside Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester and the rest turned him into the player he is today. And now he’s taking the turn for a new generation of Cubs.
“To come up with the guys that I did and that group of individuals, players who have accomplished so much in the game, to watch the way that they played and the way they went about their business and the things that they’ve achieved and kind of continue that on here,” Happ said. “I played with guys who have set some crazy records here.
“To be able to be on some of those lists, it’s special to me, means a lot.”
Cabrera ready to rock
Edward Cabrera’s time away from the Cubs’ rotation comes to an end Friday, when he starts against the Giants.
Cabrera has been out for more than two weeks while dealing with a blister on his finger.
It’s a big deal for a rotation that’s dealt with plenty of injuries early, Cade Horton done for the season and Matthew Boyd — who is set for a second rehab start Saturday — missing a month.
“Maybe the rest can do him some good,” Counsell said. “It can do him some good, freshen him up and get him ready for the next four months.”
