What has been an unforgettable first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers added another wrinkle on Monday night as Kyle Tucker was booed in each of his at-bats against the Chicago Cubs.
The series opener marked Tucker’s first game back at Wrigley Field since he signed a record-setting contract with the Dodgers in free agency.
“I mean, I liked playing here last year,” Tucker said of his return to the proverbial Friendly Confines. “There’s some really great guys over there. They have a good team. So it’s nice being back and playing here. I liked it.”
Kyle Tucker responds to boos
As for the harsh treatment from Cubs fans in attendance, Tucker expanded on his lone season with the team and challenges that arose.
“I don’t know,” he answered when asked if the booing made sense. “I tried my hardest last year. I mean, I tried playing through a hand fracture and calf thing, just trying to get back to the playoffs for them. Tried to do what I could to help out the team last year with them.
“I hit really well in the first half, and the second half didn’t go as great. Kind of didn’t end up great at the end of the year, but had a good run. They got a lot of similar guys over there and a few new faces, especially after today. They’re a good team and it should be good for them for the rest of the year.”
Tucker batted .280/.384/.499 with 19 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs and 56 RBI over his first 95 games with the Cubs. He initially was successful in managing the hand fracture but as admitted, production dropped in the second half as Tucker recorded only 11 extra-base hits with a .738 on-base plus slugging percentage.
When reflecting on last year, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tucker had an “interesting season” with the team but was “happy” he found a new home with the Dodgers.
Being back at Wrigley Field has resulted in treatment similar to what Tucker experienced when the Dodgers faced the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
In that instance the 29-year-old said he enjoyed playing for the Astros and claimed to be someone who generally doesn’t hear much crowd noise.
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