PHOENIX -- In advance of seeing fans back at Wrigley Field on Monday, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell answered your questions from this week’s Twitter mailbag:
Addison Russell: Just a loose grip, I guess, and the bat gets away from me. There's nothing more that I can do. I'm just playing and it's slipping. It's not something that's happened my whole life, just lately.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell #AskRussell Why does Addison have a hard time holding on to his bats? A lot of them end up in the stands
— crawly's cub kingdom (@crawlyscubs) April 8, 2016
AR: I would say just the atmosphere Chicago is going to bring when we get back home and all year. It's been a while since we've been in Chicago and they're expecting a big year. It's going to be awesome. And just being with my teammates, being familiar with them already. It's going to be a great year.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell What are you most excited for this season? #AskRussell
— Andy Chase (@Andybrookchase) April 7, 2016
AR: Just being more comfortable at the plate. [Hitting coach] John Mallee and I have been working hard as well in the cage. But just the comfort level of letting it go now is probably the biggest thing.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell #askRussell Looks like Addison has more power this year. What did he work on to improve his hitting?
— crawly's cub kingdom (@crawlyscubs) April 7, 2016
AR: Growing up I didn't watch as much baseball as other people did, so my childhood team was probably the Tennessee Titans in football.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell Favorite childhood team? #AskRussell
— Reed Parris (@rmparris19) April 7, 2016
AR: I'm a Barry Larkin guy. He came by in a tournament when I was young and signed my bat and everything. Meeting him was pretty cool.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell Growing up who did you look up to the most? #AskRussell
— Brendan Hesch (@bhesch04) April 7, 2016
AR: Just staying within myself. Wasn't trying to change too much. Just be patient at the plate.@ESPNChiCubs @Addison_Russell what's the biggest adjustment you made in the offseason? #AskRussell
— Jackson M (@JMarwitz7) April 7, 2016
AR: I like Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis isn't bad. I guess right now I want to say Pittsburgh.#AskRussell when on the road is there a favorite stadium you like playing at?
— Austin (@MadeByAustin) April 7, 2016
AR: I'll get in the gym, stretch, hit the bike up for 5-10 minutes. More stretch, maybe a hot tub for another 5-10. That's about it. Then I hit.What type of prep work do you do before games or series? Any video or stats you look at in particular? #AskRussell https://t.co/0VQrdbySL5
— Jason Hill (@baseball_writes) April 7, 2016
AR: The key goal is to stay healthy this year. Numbers wise, nothing really. Just trying to make that lineup better every single day.What are some of your individual goals for this season? #AskRussell
— Jack Long (@Jlong52) April 7, 2016
AR: Unless the home run was really important I'd have to go with the defensive play. I consider myself a defensive guy, but the home runs are good, too. You can't describe that feeling of trotting around the bases and all eyes are on you. I still choose the defensive play, but a home run is awesome, too.Would you rather hit a meaningless hr in a blowout or make a great def play? #AskRussell
— Andrew Zoldan (@AndrewZoldan) April 10, 2016