Chicago Cubs star shortstop Javier Baez, 25, is the latest, telling USA TODAY Sports of his covert engagement to longtime girlfriend Irmarie Marquez on April 4; they plan to roll out their status officially this week.
“I’m so excited,’’ said Baez, who announced in January that he and Irmarie are expecting a baby boy, due July 4. “It’s a big part of your life having a kid at a young age, and teach them the right way to live, while seeing their parents grow up, too.
Baez is just the latest young Cubs start to be removed from Chicago’s most eligible bachelor list. Third baseman Kris Bryant was married last year. First baseman Anthony Rizzo is getting married after the season. And catcher Willson Contreras announced his engagement in January.
“This is pretty special, man,’’ Baez said. “”I’ve always been a real family guy. I grew up with my mom, dad, brothers and sister, and all my cousins. I loved having my family around.
“It’s like it doesn’t matter what happens on the baseball field, your family is always there for you. That’s the most important thing for you in life.
“And now, I’ll have my own wife and kids.’’
Baez, who has known Irmarie since the seventh grade, and started dating six years later, says he always planned to marry her. They talked about it for years. Lived together in Chicago during the season and Puerto Rico in the winter. And a few months ago, started seriously planning for it.