Ian Happ is ready to lead off for Cubs: 'It's not changing who I am or what I do'

(670 The Score) Early in spring training, new Cubs manager Craig Counsell approached left fielder Ian Happ with the idea of leading off his lineup.

Happ was all in favor of this move, knowing well what it could mean for himself and the Cubs’ entire core on offense. And as Opening Day looms Thursday, Happ is excited to hit first in the order, as he explained on the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Wednesday.

“With our group, with the way that Seiya, Belli, Morel, getting on base for those guys, (leading off) makes a lot of sense,” Happ said. “I know in Milwaukee, (Counsell) had (Christian) Yelich lead off for a couple years there. I know what that looked like and how that turns the lineup over. For me, it was, ‘Hey, whatever works for our group and gives us the best chance to score runs, that’s what I want to do.’ I’m happy to embrace it.

“It’s definitely different just because of how frequently you’re coming up. It’s different because you are getting the first look at that pitcher and balancing how much are you swinging at the first pitch of the game, how much are you trying to work deep into counts. For me in my experience doing it, you have to just have your normal at-bat and my normal at-bat lends itself to that position. It’s not changing who I am or what I do. It’s continuing to do the things that I’m good at and letting that play in that spot.”

Counsell was drawn to Happ as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter in large part because of his efficiency in getting on base. Happ owns a career .343 on-base percentage. In 2023, he logged a .360 on-base percentage over a career-high 691 plate appearances.

Happ previously led off for the Cubs during parts of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, when former manager David Ross was the individual forming the lineups. Happ has led off 81 times in his MLB career.

The Cubs open the 2024 regular season Thursday, when they visit the defending World Series champion Rangers in Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Pregame coverage on 670 The Score begins at 6 p.m. All Cubs games can be heard on The Score.