Puddle-Jumping Nico Hoerner Makes Splash in Win
You may be familiar with the more renowned films in Broken Lizard’s oeuvre, classics like Super Troopers and Beerfest. Some more discerning cinephiles can even opine on niche offerings such as Club Dread or The Slammin’ Salmon, but it takes a real sicko to talk to you about Puddle Cruiser. One such degenerate happens to be writing this, though I’ll admit that I had to Google the plot despite having once owned a DVD of the movie.
Okay, so what does that have to do with Nico Hoerner and the Cubs? Absolutely nothing, I just felt like opening up with a random, esoteric anecdote. I also wanted to have a little fun, because that’s what Friday’s game was. Though Hoerner only went 1-for-6 out of the leadoff spot in the 10-4 win, he provided two signature moments highlighted by his winning smile and a never-ending desire to get horizontal.
“Nobody enjoys headfirst sliding as much as Nico Hoerner,” Boog Sciambi said over a replay of the second baseman scoring the Cubs’ third run.
“Yeah, he’s like a kid with a Slip ‘N Slide,” Jim Deshaies responded.
Another one, thank you ? pic.twitter.com/yTjWHwq1Ck
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 16, 2026
Two innings later, with the Cubs leading 6-4, Hoerner ranged to his left and went full Superman to rob a single from Munetaka Murakami and end the inning. Even before the play was over, the look on his face said he knew how spectacular it was. Then came a playful tongue wag and a smile that made him look like a little kid playing with his buddies in the backyard.
NICO HOERNER, FULL EXTENSION ? pic.twitter.com/mC7HGxQ1ZN
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 16, 2026
Here’s an isolated look at the layout.
Flash freeze of Nico Hoerner parallel to the ground on his diving stop. Spectacular. Not even super man can get that parallel. pic.twitter.com/tshQMw7u3Z
— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) May 16, 2026
Taylor McGregor asked Hoerner after the game if he was the kid who jumped in all the puddles on the way home, and he obviously answered in the affirmative.
“There’s some tougher plays, you know you have it the whole way,” he said in the same interview. “I didn’t on that one, and it’s nice when it sticks in the glove. And I look up and the whole team is out of the dugout on the first base side waiting for me, and it’s more about the teammates right there.
It’s always fun to win, and it’s even better to do so against a “rival” like the White Sox. But when you add in the way the Cubs have been scuffling offensively for the better part of a week, what would otherwise be merely enjoyable is elevated to full-on ebullience. Beyond his quantifiable production, Hoerner’s radiant joie de vivre is an integral part of this organization.
For a good chunk of the decade since they won it all, the Cubs had more of a workmanlike feel about them. And not necessarily in a good way, but more like a lot of the players were just punching the time clock and grinding through another day at a job they didn’t really care for. That no longer appears to be the case, and I’m excited to see how far this team can go.
