PHOENIX — The winter may not have gone the way Dexter Fowler had wished, but the first week of the regular season was something to see.
Fowler, who returned to Chicago after finding no takers in free agency, ignited the Cubs from the leadoff spot by reaching base in his first five starts before being given Sunday off. He tied a team record (since 1913) by starting the season with four straight multi-hit games, and he reached base in 15 of his first 24 plate appearances with seven runs scored.
“He’s very motivated,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I’m certain that over this past offseason, having the ability to go out there and test the waters and didn’t get exactly what he thought he might be able to … a man on a mission right now.”
Fowler is hitting .426 had two doubles, a triple, a homer, four RBIs and five walks as the Cubs prepare for their home opener Monday.
Fowler hit a career-high 17 homers last year and tied a career-high with 29 doubles while stealing 20 bases. Baltimore pursued him in free agency, but Fowler ended up with a one-year, $13 million deal with the Cubs.
“It’s kind of odd that he had really a career year and he didn’t have a job when spring training started,” Cubs left-hander Jon Lester said. “It’s a weird situation, but I’m glad he fell back in our laps. He definitely makes our team a (heck) of a lot better.”
Fowler, 30, gained 20 pounds the offseason, when he also worked with a nutritionist and hired a personal chef.
“I wanted to get a little bit stronger in my core,” Fowler said. “I thought that would definitely help.”
Helping, too, was the extra incentive from a dry offseason.
“Obviously those expectations were there,” Fowler said. “It didn’t happen the way I thought it was going to happen, but you just have to go out and compete every day. I’m back with the team I love here and just trying to win.
You always go back to what’s comfortable. These guys here, they are like my brothers. It is family here. We were good last year and felt like it ended a little too soon. I jumped at the opportunity to come back.”