CHICAGO — Ian Happ marked a significant milestone on Saturday, playing his 1,000th game in Major League Baseball, all with the Chicago Cubs. For Happ, this achievement holds a special place in his heart owing to his exclusive time with the Cubs.
“The thing that really stands out for me is having done all of this here,” Happ shared. “That’s what makes it truly meaningful.”
His accomplishment is indeed rare. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Happ is the eighth active player to have played 1,000 games with a single team. He joins an elite group that includes notable players like Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and José Ramírez. The Cubs also recognize him as the 21st player to play at least the first 1,000 games of their career with the team.
Happ, alongside Mark Grace and Shawon Dunston, is among the exclusive group of players drafted by the Cubs to reach this milestone with the franchise.
“The big significance for me is hitting 1,000 games with the same team,” remarked Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who played in 1,624 games across five teams in his 16-year career. “That’s what makes it rare and certainly worth highlighting. It’s something that doesn’t happen often in today’s baseball landscape. It speaks volumes about how Ian has approached his career.”
The historic moment was commemorated as Happ stepped up for his first at-bat against San Diego. He acknowledged the Wrigley Field crowd of 35,391, tipping his helmet and patting his chest. In the game, Happ went 1 for 4, hitting a double and earning a walk during Chicago’s 7-1 triumph. He also executed a spectacular diving catch in the seventh inning, preventing Gavin Sheets from earning extra bases.
After the game, a jersey adorned with “HAPP 1000” and autographed by the team hung in his locker. “Had to go a long way,” he said about the catch.
Drafted by Chicago in 2015 from the University of Cincinnati, Happ made his big league debut in 2017. That season, he had a batting average of .253 with 24 home runs and 68 RBIs, helping the Cubs clinch the NL Central and progress to the NL Championship Series.
However, Happ faced uncertainty in 2019 when he was sent to Triple-A Iowa before the season began. The time away allowed him to refine his batting skills, making his return to Chicago in July 2019 impactful.
In 2022, Happ earned a spot on the NL All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove for his performance in left field. Over the past periods, he has participated in 480 of the last 497 games for the Cubs.
“The work required to stay healthy and be consistently available is significant,” Happ reflected. “Whether it’s preparing on a game day or putting in effort during the offseason, there’s a lot that goes into being available that much. That’s what I ruminate on.”
Despite some speculation about his future with Chicago, Happ secured his place by signing a $61 million, three-year contract in April 2023, extending through the 2026 season with a full no-trade clause.
Following Kyle Hendricks’ departure to the Los Angeles Angels in November, Happ became the longest-tenured player with the Cubs.
“He deserves every ounce of recognition he gets,” praised shortstop Dansby Swanson. “It’s remarkable to see his dedication and diligence every day. He’s always ready to play, and that’s no small feat.”