Kris Bryant shrugs off ‘MVP' chants from Cubs fans, focused on big picture

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Kris Bryant hears the "MVP!" chants echoing around Wrigley Field, but only because it's impossible not to.

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year may very well be the frontrunner for the league's MVP award this season, but he's still doing the best he can to block out all the noise and focus on the Cubs' overall record.

"I mean, it would be cool, but it's not a goal of mine," Bryant said before Friday's matchup with the San Francisco Giants. "I never set goals like that. 

"I really don't know how to answer questions like that because like I said, I don't set goals like that. I've always been team-oriented. I'd rather have a ring on my finger than a plaque or whatever you get for [MVP]. We're certainly working towards that."

Bryant has been on fire since mid-August, hitting .455 with a 1.501 OPS, eight homers, 18 RBI and 20 runs scored in his last 14 games.

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The "MVP!" chants have really picked up in earnest in that time, though Bryant prefers to keep a low profile.

"I'm trying to focus on the at-bat," Bryant said. "I try not to let that stuff get to me or bother me - good or bad.

"So they could be booing or cheering good stuff, and I'm really focused on the at-bat. But it still is a really cool feeling."

Bryant has a slew of other awards and trophies at his parents' house in Las Vegas, including last year's Rookie of the Year and the 2013 Golden Spikes Award (handed out to the best collegiate player in the country) from 2013.

The 24-year-old joked his father, Mike, wants to put some of the accolades outside in the batting cage where Mike gives lessons - "It's a proud dad moment," Bryant said.

"I've been fortuante enough to win some pretty cool awards in college and high school," Bryant said. "Just thinking back to it - they're really cool trophies but they don't mean as much to me as the memories of the season.

"I just think if we're able to pull off what we want to pull off here, that would trump anything. The trophies are just the direct result of me giving everything I got."

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