‘Always going to be a champion here’: Javier Báez makes his first return to Wrigley Field since 2021 trade from Chicago Cubs

Not a day goes by without Javier Báez thinking of the Chicago Cubs’ magical 2016 season that culminated in winning the franchise’s first World Series title in 108 years.

A tattoo of the trophy covers his upper left arm, and Báez tries to take his championship ring everywhere so nobody steals his physical reminder of the most special season of his 11-year career. Those memories came to the forefront as Báez made his first return visit to Wrigley Field on Tuesday with the Detroit Tigers since being traded three years ago.

“It’s always there, it’s always on my mind,” Báez said in the visitors dugout Tuesday. “I always try to remember that year, the way we played it was like we weren’t afraid of anyone, especially the other team. It was like asking them to score runs because we knew that we were going to score runs.

“That’s always going to be special.”

In the three years since the Cubs traded him to the New York Mets, a reflective Báez, in a navy blue shirt with the Tigers’ old English “D” in orange across the front, said he does not consider the what-ifs of how his career arc might have altered had he remained with the organization.

“I think everything happens for a reason,” Báez said. “Obviously they had a whole different team, and they were kind of building stuff too so I don’t know how it would have been, but obviously the body (challenges) was always going to be the same.”

Báez’s career hasn’t followed an upward trajectory since his departure. He finished 2021 playing well for the Mets, posting a career-high 140 OPS+ in 47 games. But since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers before the 2022 season, Báez owns a .221 average, .263 on-base percentage, .611 OPS and 71 OPS+ over 358 games. Báez’s struggles have been especially pronounced this year, coming into this series with a .185/.223/.298 slash line and 45 OPS+.

“Obviously I’m not doing it right now, but I’m not turning into next year either, but I know what I can do and I was trying to stay healthy and play the whole year,” Báez said. “I don’t want to make excuses about my body and stuff. I know I can hit, I know I can run and play defense so hopefully it gets better by the end of the year.”

Cubs honored Javier Báez with a video tribute before tonight’s game: pic.twitter.com/Rff8sliaCo

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) August 21, 2024

The Cubs honored Báez with a nearly three-minute-long video tribute before the game, ending with raucous cheers by fans. Báez tipped his hat to the crowd in appreciation. He had a chance to catch up with Kyle Hendricks in the outfield pregame.

“Obviously I grew up in this organization and on this field,” Báez said. “… Doesn’t matter what day, what time is the game, it’s always going to be packed and supporting their team.”

As Báez emerged from the dugout an hour before first pitch Tuesday while the Tigers took batting practice, his presence immediately garnered a vocal reaction from an early crowd of Cubs fans, whose “Javy! Javy!” chants earned a wave of acknowledgment from Báez.

“That’s one of the things that no one will take from you,” Báez said. “You’re always going to be a champion here.”