LAS VEGAS -- When Kristopher Bryant got back to work on his swing this offseason, his father, Mike, wanted him to remember how he was pitched to in the Minor Leagues, and that's what they worked on. His mother, Susie, was busy handling all the wedding gifts.
Bryant returned home this weekend to play two games with the Cubs against the Reds at Cashman Field, and he hit a home run and a double on Saturday and added another double on Sunday. The best part for the reigning National League Most Valuable Player Award winner was that he could spend a couple of days at his new home here.
Mike didn't make his son hit in the cage during the weekend visit. They started that six weeks after the World Series ended. Kris said he wants to hit the ball to the opposite field more this year, which is something he did in 2014, when he belted 43 homers and won Minor League Player of the Year honors.
"We've always talked about it, but it was more or less a game plan to prepare for this season," Mike said of their offseason work. "Because his batting average was so high on inside fastballs, we thought they'd try to work on the outer half of the plate. We tried to perfect that swing."
Meanwhile, Kris' mom was dealing with all the gifts Cubs fans sent. On one day, 86 boxes were delivered to Kris' parents' home.
"One day, me and Kris were playing catch in the cul de sac," Mike said. "The UPS guy gets off the truck and he goes, 'Is that Kris Bryant?' I said, 'Yeah.' We were playing catch in the cul de sac like we used to."
And Kris' adjustments at the plate?
"He's kind of focused on trying to be ready when they miss on the outer half," Mike said. "His success was a product of necessity because of the way they were pitching. In the Minors, that's all they did was stay away from him. They never pitched in to him. He learned to do damage in the Minor Leagues because they were pounding the outer half of the plate. I wanted to get him more familiar with it again."
Both Mike and Susie said all the success their son has had -- winning the World Series, MVP Award -- hasn't changed him. However, there is a minor issue at home. Mike wants to wear Kris' World Series ring when he gets it.
"I said, 'Kris, c'mon, bucket list -- I just want to wear it for a year, that's all,'" Mike said, laughing.
Anthony Rizzo's father did send Mike a replica ring, although it's not a replica of the real World Series ring, since that design has been kept a secret. Mike and Susie will be at Wrigley Field for Opening Day April 10 and the ring ceremony on April 12. Kris may have to hide the ring.