Kris Bryant won’t slide head first anymore

By Todd Dewey Las Vegas Review-Journal

10 years ago

Aug 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) slides safely into 2nd base before tag by Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jean Segura (9) in the fifth inning at Miller Park. Bryant was injured on the play and had to leave the game. (Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports)

Aug 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) is looked after by third base coach Gary Jones and bench coach Dave Martinez before leaving the game with an injury in the fifth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. (Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports)

Aug 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) is escorted off the field by a trainer after an injury in the fifth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. (Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports)

Aug 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) sits near 2nd base after a hard slide and had to leave the game with an injury in the fifth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. (Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports)

Las Vegan Kris Bryant said he’s done with headfirst slides after leaving Sunday’s game with dizziness from colliding with Brewers shortstop Jean Segura while sliding head first into second base in the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 win.

“I only have one head,” Bryant told ESPN.com. “I only have one life so there’s nothing to really joke about.”

Bryant, who was cleared to play Monday after passing concussion protocols, said the collision reminded him of his friend, Cory Hahn, the former Arizona State player who was left paralyzed after a headfirst slide.

“There’s more important things than being safe,” Bryant, 23, said.

The Bonanza High School product is batting .246 with 14 home runs, 61 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in his rookie year for Chicago.

“I’ve always slid head first but I’ve made some pretty good strides in sliding feet first,” Bryant said. “Sometimes it’s hard to think on the run.”