Fansided · 24m
Reds' coaching hire brings Ian Happ connection, but there's one problem
Connecting the Cincinnati Reds to free agent slugger Ian Happ was easy before Anthony Iapoce was hired as the team's new assistant hitting coach. Now, the link is even easier since Iapoce was a member of the Chicago Cubs coaching staff during Happ's early years on the North Side.
Iapoce was hired to be the Cubs' hitting coach heading after the 2018 season — two years after Happ's MLB debut. Iapoce was at the helm from 2019-2021. During that time, Happ became a regular in the Cubs' lineup and posted a collective .809 OPS with 48 home runs. The two are known to have a mutual respect for one another, which is why so many fans are pundits are making the connection.