The next time Ian Happ puts on a major-league uniform at Wrigley Field won't be the first time.
But it might be just as moving.
Happ savored the invitation and the experience of taking batting practice in July 2015 at the historic ballpark after the Cubs drafted him ninth overall out of the University of Cincinnati. Not so much because of what he was doing or where, but rather who was watching him do it.
Happ's father, Keith, died of brain cancer in late October, a few months after seeing his son don a Cubs jersey and take some hacks. He was 58.
The Cubs' top-rated prospect in a system overflowing with them, Happ said he's unsure how he will absorb his next trip to Wrigley.
"That's a day of emotions I won't have any way to prepare for," Happ said this month before a game in Birmingham with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. "He's never far from my mind."
The big leagues, he said, are.
"Everybody thinks about it when they're younger, and that's the goal," Happ said.
But first things first, which is learning second base.
An outfielder when the Cubs drafted him, Happ has been happy to change positions. And he figures to have plenty of time to adapt with the Cubs roster already a logjam of talent.
Happ was on the field in eastern Tennessee when the entire Cubs infield was starting the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego. That left him to catch up on the highlights after the dust had settled on the Smokies' loss that night.
"It's exciting to see all the guys that were in the All-Star Game," Happ said. "Just that young core, that nucleus, I would love to contribute to that."
Where and when are the questions. The answers are anywhere they'll play him and probably sooner than later.
Happ's versatility fits Cubs manager Joe Maddon's style. His willingness to learn a new position while maintaining aspirations of also playing the outfield again someday should bode well for his future.
"(Happ's) defense is coming along," Smokies manager Mark Johnson said. "He's been working his tail off all year trying to get better. He has a strong arm, and on top of that he's got a plus bat with a plus approach."
While the 22-year-old switch hitter continues to learn the ABCs of "D," he has been no slouch at the plate.
During stops with four teams in the Cubs organization since he was drafted, Happ was batting .276 with 20 home runs, 97 RBIs, 45 doubles and an .817 OPS through Sunday. His patience at the plate and ability to grind out at-bats fits right in with the Cubs philosophy.
"I like to ... only swing at pitches I feel like I can do damage with, and at the same time, if I get that pitch, be aggressive and try to drive it into the gap," said Happ, who was batting a combined .285 with 11 home runs, 64 RBIs, 28 doubles and an .814 OPS in high Class A and Double A this season. "It's just being disciplined and working from both sides of the plate and doing everything I can to see the ball, hit the ball and be the best I can be."
Happ spent a month during the offseason living with injured Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber. The two worked out, hit and did some hunting. Happ also has absorbed all he can from former major-leaguer Sean Casey, who Happ said has been invaluable in tutoring him on the mental blender baseball can be.
Keith Happ, though, forever will be Ian's biggest influence.
"He was my mentor," Happ said. "He was always kind of hiding in the shadows. He would never been in one spot for the whole game. That's how he watched baseball games."
Though he's not there now to watch like he did that day during batting practice at Wrigley Field, Happ said he's there nonetheless.
"That day was special," Happ said. "It was good to share with the whole family, (and) for him to see me in a Cubs uniform on the field …"
Happ couldn't even begin to describe the feeling.
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