Kyle Tucker receives warm welcome back in Houston

HOUSTON – Seeing Kyle Tucker step onto the batter’s box at Daikin Park was nothing but familiar to Houstonians, only this time he was sporting a different team’s jersey.

The former Houston Astros standout made his first visit since being traded in December to the Chicago Cubs. As Tucker headed to the plate for the first time Friday evening, the crowd of 39,451 erupted in cheers while showing him that Houstonians still support him.

“My family and I try to do as much as we can outside the field with the city and the fans,” Tucker said before the Astros opened a three-game series with a 7-4 win. “We wouldn’t have a job or be able to come out and play every single day if it weren’t for the fans.

Feeling support

“So they come out and support us every single day. Houston has a good fan base in that sense. I just track them out and play in front of the fan base and do what I can out on the field and outside the field just to show some support back.”

Fearing they would lose him via free agency after the 2025 season, the Astros traded Tucker to the Cubs last Dec. 13. The Astros traded Tucker for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third base prospect Cam Smith, who learned to play right field in spring training.

Tucker was drafted by the Astros as the fifth overall pick in the 2015 Draft. He cruised through the minors before making his debut on July 7, 2018. He helped the Astros reach three World Series, winning it all in 2022. He also earned three American League All-Star berths, one Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.

Following a strong 2023 season, Tucker was named the Astros’ Most Valuable Player. He was also the Astros’ recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award last year.

‘Good memories’

“There’s a lot of really good memories here, and we had a lot of success playing in the city and on this field,” Tucker said. “It’s cool. The biggest thing was being around those guys in those moments, obviously, now on the other side.”

Tucker, who is hitting .283 with 16 home runs, was 0-for-4 Friday. He also threw out Paredes by a few feet at home to end the first inning after Jake Meyers singled to right. Paredes was 2-for-5. Smith, who was 2-for-2, hit a three-run home run to left field to give the Astros a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning.

More from Our Esquina

Isaac Paredes reunites with Mexican youth national team coach

Sammy Sosa gets hero’s welcome at Wrigley Field

Cubs reporter Andy Martinez enjoys first Father’s Day

Tucker said the transition from Houston to Chicago has been smooth. The city and team have been welcoming to Tucker and his family.

“It’s been a lot of fun to play in front of that (Wrigley Field) crowd, the fan base and just the city itself,” Tucker said. “The whole history behind the city and the team, so it’s been really fun to be a part of that.”

Tucker settles in with Cubs

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Kyle Tucker has been able to be himself and be talkative with the team in the clubhouse. This has helped ease the transition for Tucker.

“I think this team and the Houston Astros did a really good job in letting him be himself,” Counsell said. “I think we try to let all our guys do that. It’s kind of within the context of who we are as a group, but I think this group understands who Kyle is, and that’s how we help each other.”

The Astros honored Tucker and former Astros closer Ryan Pressly with a pregame video tribute in their return to Daikin Park. Both Tucker and Pressly were a part of the 2022 World Series champs.

Kyle Tucker actually caught the final out as Pressly closed out the 2022 World Series. 

“I ended up making this place my home,” said Pressly, who was with the Astros from 2018 through 2024. “The fans and the relationships we established being down here for so long it’s home to us now. I’m excited to come back again and see those people.

“It’s kind of emotional being back here, but at the same time you still got to go out there and do your job and try to get them out.”