CHICAGO, Illinois — When Ian Happ swung and sent a ball flying over the bleachers of Wrigley Field, Cubs fans leaped for joy as if they had witnessed a miracle. But what few people know is that there was a time when Ian Happ himself thought about… quitting baseball forever.
Not because of injury. Not because of failure. But because of an unexpected loss that nearly broke the Pittsburgh native’s heart.
“My Brother Is the Reason I Started… and the Reason I Almost Stopped”
Born into a sports-loving family in Pennsylvania, Ian Happ wasn’t the first to pick up a baseball bat in the house. Chris Happ, Ian’s older brother by four years, was the trailblazer – the role model, the first to teach Ian to pitch, slide, and hit a line drive across the backyard.
“Chris was more than just my brother. He was my first coach, my biggest fan – and the reason I loved baseball,” Ian once shared.
But when Ian was 14, Chris suddenly developed a rare neurological disease that affected his memory and motor skills. The rapid decline of his once-iconic brother left Ian broken in silence.
“I didn’t want to pick up a bat anymore. I didn’t want to play anymore. Because baseball without my brother – it didn’t make sense.”
A shock, a choice, a promise
In his early high school days, Ian Happ fell into a mild depression. Instead of hitting, he hid in his car after school. One day, his father happened to catch Ian crying silently in the garage. He said nothing – just gave Ian Chris’s old glove, leaving a note that simply read:
“If not for yourself, do it for your brother.”
A few weeks later, Ian returned to the field. But this time, each swing carried a silent promise: he would play for two.
From unknown to Chicago star
Happ went on to attend the University of Cincinnati, where he wowed scouts with his 1,000-plus slugging, his ability to play multiple positions, and his fiery competitive spirit.
In 2015, he was drafted by the Cubs in the first round. Many were skeptical about the “too-large shirt” the team had given Happ. But after just two years, he debuted in the MLB – with a home run in his first game, as if fate wanted to confirm: he was worthy.
Since then, Happ has gradually become a solid stopper for the Cubs – both in the outfield and in the locker room. No flash, no noise – but every season, he quietly brings nearly 20 HRs, more than 70 RBIs, and a never-ending warrior spirit.
But his brother still can’t remember who he is…
At 30, Ian Happ had it all: a lucrative contract, a solid career, and an iconic position at Wrigley. But in a shocking interview in 2024, he admitted:
“Sometimes I go to see Chris… and he doesn’t recognize me.”
Happ’s voice cracked. Tears silently streamed down the face of the former Cubs MVP. But he still smiled:
“I play for him, even though he doesn’t remember. I play because we were one – and baseball saved us both from despair.”
Not a superstar. A superhero.
Ian Happ isn’t the biggest name in MLB. But to Cubs fans – he represents the best of everything: dedication, resilience, and a quiet fight every day, for a cause that no one can see… except the heart.