Isaac Wasserman/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ian Happ gave Cubs fans in the bleachers $300 to buy beer
Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has spent his entire professional career with the organization. After what could’ve been his final game in front of the Wrigley Field faithful, the 32-year-old made sure the fans knew how much he appreciated them by buying them beer.
Before the Chicago Cubs’ home finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Ian Happ wrapped a signed baseball in $300 cash and tossed it into the left-field bleachers — the same crowd he’s spent a decade playing in frong of. Tied to the baseball was a heartfelt note that read:
“Thank you for 10 incredible years, for the positivity and unwavering support. Y’all are the best fans in sports! BEERS ON ME!”
Chicago Cubs outfielder launched a baseball with $300 into the bleachers at Wrigley Field to buy beers for the fans
This isn’t the first time that Happ’s bought rounds of beer for the bleacher regulars, as it’s something he’s done at the end of the season for a few years now. The ball was reportedly entrusted to a Cubs superfan known as “Bleacher Jeff,” who has distributed the money to nearby fans since Happ began the tradition.
Happ was drafted out of the University of Cincinnati by the Cubs with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft and has spent his entire 10-year career in Chicago. During his time with the Cubs, Happ was a four-time Gold Glove winner, a 2022 All-Star, and racked up over 1,000 career hits.
He’s set to enter free agency this offseason, making Thursday potentially the last time he plays a regular-season game at Wrigley in a Cubs uniform. Fans in the bleachers held up a sign reading “Ian Happ Cub for Life” as he interacted with the crowd throughout the game.
With three games left on their schedule, the Cubs are currently the #5 seed in the National League Playoffs and are set to face off against the #4 seed San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Round, which will begin on Tuesday, September 29.