Sosa's pointers have instant impact for Bruj¨¢n
And that's why you listen to the guy with 609 career home runs
Jordan Bastian
@MLBastianThis story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
MESA, Ariz. -- Vidal Bruján unloaded on the pitch, watched it soar deep over Sloan Park¡¯s left field and hopped out of the batter¡¯s box before shifting into a trot.
The home run hop had a familiar look to it -- and that was intentional.
Moments earlier on Tuesday afternoon, Bruj¨¢n was sitting in the dugout with Cubs icon Sammy Sosa, who was offering feedback on his swing. Bruj¨¢n -- a native of Sosa¡¯s birthplace, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic -- then sent a fifth-inning pitch to the berm and paid tribute to the legendary slugger with the hop.
¡°Yes, yes, that was done because of the tips that he gave me,¡± Bruj¨¢n said in Spanish.
Bruj¨¢n was born in 1998, when Sosa belted 66 home runs for the Cubs en route to winning the National League¡¯s MVP trophy. The utility man may not have vivid memories of Sosa¡¯s career, but he grew up hearing the stories and understood what it meant to have Chicago¡¯s all-time home run king in camp.
Sosa and the Cubs smoothed things over this past winter, ending a 21-year hiatus for the slugger. He was announced as an inductee for the team¡¯s Hall of Fame at Cubs Convention in January and invited to come to Spring Training as a guest instructor. Sosa arrived in time for Tuesday¡¯s 4-2 win and was available for hitters during Wednesday¡¯s morning workout.
"Honestly that¡¯s going to help so many ballplayers,¡± Bruj¨¢n said. ¡°It¡¯s a good option to have close. I understand that it¡¯s a good sign and good example to have, because of the talent that he had. We have a lot of respect for him, which is important.¡±
Sosa said he watched Bruj¨¢n¡¯s first plate appearance (a strikeout) on Tuesday and felt the utility man -- trying to win a spot on the bench for the Cubs -- was ¡°jumping¡± too much in his swing. Bruj¨¢n noted that Sosa told him tips for ¡°charging the pitch,¡± including staying firm in the box with his back leg.
¡°I said, ¡®Stay back, use the back leg and keep your head there,¡¯¡± Sosa said. ¡°And we say, ¡®Bring the swagger.¡¯ And then he hit that. He listened to me and he got it done.¡±
Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly laughed when asked about Bruj¨¢n belting a home run after one short chat with Sosa.
¡°I might have to really dig in on what he said,¡± Kelly quipped.
Added manager Craig Counsell: ¡°I hope it¡¯s that easy.¡±
As for that signature Sosa hop, Slammin¡¯ Sammy felt it displayed Bruj¨¢n finding a comfort zone.
¡°I feel that was release from him,¡± Sosa said. ¡°Most players come here trying to make the team and they have a little bit of pressure instead of believing in themselves. When you have a plan and you go to the plate, it¡¯s going to happen. Everybody has talent.
¡°The thing that makes it go a different direction is when you pressure yourself and you want to hit two home runs in one at-bat. He was happy. He was released. He was comfortable. And I¡¯m here to continue to help him and everyone.¡±