NEWSLETTER
Although he’s been in the big leagues just three full seasons (with another three partial seasons, including this year), and although he’s been in professional baseball for only six calendar years total, Nico Hoerner already seems rather wise to the ways of the sport.
Hoerner, who just turned 27, pretty much always has something thoughtful to say. I appreciated his most recent comments on the team’s current offensive slump, and on its relationship to the way Chicago Cubs fans react to overall team performance. I thought you’d appreciate those comments, too, if you hadn’t seen them.
First, on the offense (The Athletic): “For most of us, the version of what’s to come is usually a lot closer to what you’ve always been than what you’ve done most recently. I really believe in the group. I appreciate how it’s not very much of a roller-coaster ride emotionally for the group. From the staff, the tone that (Craig) Counsell sets as well as from the leaders in this locker room. There’s a lot of belief, intent, attacking every day but also not freaking out. I really appreciate that.”
That is all, of course, correct. Over a larger sample, these players are more likely to perform closer to what they’ve already shown themselves to be than to perform as the worst offensive group in baseball by far. Falling into a roller-coaster of emotions for the players does absolutely nothing to help them perform. Instead, they simply have to keep going about their business as they always have, which is easier said than done. Understanding this, conceptually, is the first step.
Freaking out, roller-coaster-style, is the fans’ job.
And on that front, Hoerner says we’re just doing our job, too (Sun-Times): “We’re lucky to have fans that care and are invested in this team. And I’d much, much rather have a fan base that’s reacting strong and wanting the best from this group and holding us to a higher standard than anything else, right? That’s what you play for and why the good moments are so amazing, and why improving is gonna be satisfying.”
See? Hoerner is smart. And we’re just reactionary fanatics because we’re supposed to be.
