Kris Bryant’s career arc is one of the more dramatic turns we’ve seen in recent MLB memory - from a face-of-the-franchise phenom in Chicago to a struggling veteran in Colorado. And this past weekend, that contrast was on full display when Bryant was noticeably absent from the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series reunion at Cubs Convention.
While early speculation pointed fingers at the Rockies organization for potentially blocking his attendance, it turns out the decision came from Bryant himself. According to reports, he felt it would be a “bad look” to show up and celebrate a championship while his current tenure in Colorado has been marred by injuries and inconsistency.
Let’s be clear: Bryant’s self-awareness here says a lot. He knows the expectations that came with his $182 million deal in Colorado. And he knows he hasn’t met them.
When Bryant burst onto the scene in 2015, he wasn’t just good - he was electric. Rookie of the Year, MVP the next season, and a central figure in ending a 108-year championship drought for the Cubs. That kind of start doesn’t just set a high bar - it launches a player into the stratosphere of franchise legends.
But since then, it’s been a tough road. After a strong 2017 that still saw him finish seventh in MVP voting, injuries began to chip away at his game.
Shoulder issues, wrist problems, and now chronic back trouble have limited his availability and effectiveness. Since signing with the Rockies ahead of the 2022 season, Bryant has averaged just 42 games per year.
That’s not just a dip - that’s a player stuck in neutral, physically unable to be the guy he once was.
Even when he’s been in the lineup, the production hasn’t come close to matching his early-career form. The power, the bat speed, the confidence - all of it has looked diminished.
And that’s what makes this situation so tough. This isn’t a case of a player not putting in the work or not caring.
If anything, Bryant’s decision to skip the reunion shows how much he does care. He didn’t want to be the guy showing up for a celebration when he hasn’t been able to deliver for his current team.
The Rockies’ gamble on Bryant - seven years, $182 million - was bold. They were betting on a return to form, on the idea that Bryant could be the centerpiece of a new era in Denver.
But four years in, that bet hasn’t paid off. Whether it’s fair or not, that contract has become a cautionary tale in free agency.
Still, in Chicago, Bryant’s legacy is secure. He’ll always be the guy who helped bring a title to Wrigley Field.
He’ll always be remembered for that smooth swing, that quiet confidence, and the way he played the game with joy in those early years. And when he eventually returns to Wrigley - and he will - it’s going to be emotional.
The fans haven’t forgotten what he meant to that team, that city, and that moment in baseball history.
As for what’s next? That’s harder to say.
At this point, the hope is simple: that Bryant can get healthy, get back on the field, and rediscover some of the joy that made him such a special player in the first place. Even if he never gets back to MVP form, there’s still a version of Kris Bryant who can contribute, who can enjoy the game again, and who can write a final chapter that’s about more than just injuries and missed opportunities.
Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Bryant’s journey, it’s that baseball careers rarely follow a straight line. But the great ones - even the ones who’ve been knocked down - they find a way to keep writing their story.