Watch: Kris Bryant gets emotional during Cubs tribute in first game back at Wrigley Field
By Josh Hill
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 26: Kris Bryant #23 of the San Francisco Giants in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 26, 2021 in New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 26: Kris Bryant #23 of the San Francisco Giants in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 26, 2021 in New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b142d8b17231417f0c9fac9e0b1b0e973ab6481b858f18f5d4fc96332f072b8c.jpg)
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when it came time for the Kris Bryant Cubs tribute during his return to Wrigley Field
It’s been an emotional few months for Chicago Cubs fans, but Friday afternoon saw a tearful crescendo.
Kris Bryant returned to Wrigley Field for the first time since being traded at the deadline back in July. His last moments as a Cubs were documented by the Marquee Network, as he fought back tears in the dugout after learning he had been traded to San Francisco.
It was a trade everyone knew was coming but no fan on the North Side wanted to believe would actually happen. When it did, it officially ended perhaps the brightest and happiest era in Cubs history and squashed any hope of the World Series core reaching the promised land again.
Bryant and the Giants arrived at Wrigley for a weekend series on Friday and hordes of Cubs fans packed themselves in to welcome their favorite son home.
Kris Bryant Cubs tribute got emotional
Fans gave Bryant a loud ovation when his name was announced as part of the Giants starting lineup, but the truly emotional moment came when Bryant stepped into the batter’s box he’d become so familiar with over the entirety of his career but for the first time he stepped up wearing opposing colors.
https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/1436397506460483584
Everyone on their feet for @KrisBryant_23 return to Wrigley Field pic.twitter.com/WYtQ1zNdOS
— Hunter Armor (@HunterArmor) September 10, 2021
Cubs fans didn’t see a uniform, however, they saw their hero; Bryant was welcomed back to Wrigley Field with exactly the type of warm hug and the uproarious ovation he deserved.
There’s still hope among fans that Bryant returns in free agency. All accounts from his camp seem to indicate that he’s more than happy in San Francisco and the possibility of him re-signing with the Giants is actually growing.
But no matter what the future holds — or what happened in the recent past — Bryant and Cubs fans came together in a beautiful reunion and a moment that they’ll all share forever.