John Mallee

Al Hamnik [email protected]
CHICAGO | With apologies to Steve Martin, it was a wild and crazy Friday at Wrigley Field with stadium construction equipment blocking streets, traffic gridlocked in every direction and public parking ranging from $40 to $60.

That was 3 1/2 hours before the Cubs-Brewers game.

Adding to the mass confusion was new commissioner Rob Manfred and his entourage of suits making an appearance to address both teams on the state of baseball.

Schererville resident John Mallee was absolutely loving every minute of it.

The Cubs’ new hitting coach has a team of young thumpers to develop, a new manager in the widely-respected Joe Maddon, and a new ownership group whose goal is to win its division this season.

“I grew up a Cubs fan and have always dreamed of standing on the field and representing this amazing franchise,” Mallee said when he was named in October.

Friday, the Cubs beat Milwaukee 1-0. They outhit the Brewers 9-4.

“Mallee’s outstanding,” Maddon gushed. “I’ve watched him work. I’ve sat in on his meetings. He explains things as well as I’ve heard it explained, regarding breaking down hitting, and then beyond that, the data — the analytical component — of what’s going on with our game today.

“He’s as good as it gets. I think he connects with everybody. He’s straight up. He explains well. It’s not complicated when it comes out of his mouth.”

The Chicago native has paid his dues, for sure, having played in the Phillies’ minor league system (1991-1992), then serving as the Marlins’ hitting coordinator for nine seasons before becoming the Astros’ hitting coach in 2012.

Last October, Maddon added Mallee to his Cubs’ staff.

As good as it gets, eh?

“Well, it doesn’t get much better than the players,” Mallee said before Friday’s game. “We have some tremendous players and it’s easier to work with talented players and we have a bunch of them.

“That helps out a lot.”

The Cubs ranked 14th in the league with a .223 batting average with runners in scoring position last season, but young stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Jorge Solar, Dexter Fowler and Starlin Castro have excitement building on the North Side of town.

“John’s been a godsend,” Fowler said.

“Guys are getting better now that I’ve gotten to know them, understand their swings and their approaches,” Mallee added.

“I’ve been able to watch them play every day and the more they get matchups where they face the opposing pitcher, the second time we face the guy, we always do better.”

Castro (.325), Rizzo (.324) and Fowler (.299) began the day ranked among the league’s top hitters.

Pressure? What pressure?

“I think it’s a blessing to have guys with power instead of trying to create power,” Mallee said. “They want to become a hitter first, and the power will come in time.”