Cubs' Bryant: 'I don't give a shit' about criticism

Kris Bryant added at least one bright spot to his miserable season Saturday - and he doesn't care who noticed.

The Chicago Cubs star returned to the lineup after four days off and crushed a grand slam against the crosstown rival White Sox. It was just his third homer of the season and first since Aug. 12.

Injuries and poor performances have marred Bryant's 2020 campaign, leading to increased criticism as the year has progressed. With the spotlight now firmly on him as the Cubs prepare for the playoffs, the 28-year-old spoke postgame about disapproval he's drawn on social media.

"I don't give a shit," Bryant told reporters after the Cubs' 9-5 loss, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. "I really don't. That's a good answer. I'm over it. Sometimes I go out there and go 4-for-4 and it's not good enough for some people, so I don't give a shit."

Cubs manager David Ross, a former teammate of Bryant's, had his own harsh words for those criticizing his struggling superstar.

"I don't really comment on people on Twitter. Those people are idiots," Ross said, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.

Ross added: "This is a former MVP. ... This guy wants to do well for this organization. He's done nothing but be a model citizen and a great player since he’s been here. ... I don't search through Twitter to find out what people are saying about Kris Bryant. I don't care."

Bryant's two-hit performance Saturday raised his slash line to a career-worst .205/.289/.331 with three homers, nine extra-base hits, and nine RBIs.