When Kris Bryant met with reporters about an hour-and-a-half before first pitch Friday afternoon, he said he was making it a point to be mindful in his return to Wrigley Field.

“I’m not the best at soaking up big moments but I hope that I can find a way to really take it all in,” Bryant said pregame. “Today, I’m in left field and I’m super pumped about that. I thought I was gonna be at third. It’s gonna be nice running out there and seeing the fans all game. Before I got traded, it was really cool to hear them nonstop talking to me out there and I’m looking forward to that today.”

He certainly soaked up the big moment during the pregame tribute video from the Cubs on the left field video board.

Bryant got emotional watching highlights from throughout his six-and-a-half years with the Cubs while his wife, Jessica, and son, Kyler, watched from the stands behind the Giants dugout.

The Cubs gifted Bryant a No. 17 from the center field scoreboard as well as a 2016 blue flag. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts as well as president of business operations Crane Kenney and senior vice president of player personnel Jason McLeod lined up to present Bryant with the gifts behind home plate.

A thunderous ovation rang out for Bryant all throughout pregame as the fans showed their appreciation for the 2016 NL MVP and one of the most influential members of the World Series-winning team.

Bryant didn’t get much of an opportunity to let the moment settle and digest, as he was pressed into action in the top of the 1st inning. Hitting 5th in the Giants lineup, Bryant came up with a pair of runners on and 2 outs but struck out on a nasty Kyle Hendricks changeup.