Anthony Rizzo: Cubs’ talent shines
That the Chicago Cubs did not fare well this past season is an incontrovertible fact. To repeat it becomes more of a platitude. What is important, and need to be emphasized – however, is that they are willing to learn from the mistakes and blunders committed throughout the year.
For a staunch and unforgiving critic, the negatives may be abundant, and may outnumber the positives. However, for an optimist – especially for a fan who knows their team will defy all odds, the Cubs have positive to count upon.
One such positive, that even the fierce critic will not dispute, is Anthony Rizzo. The Chicago Cubs’ first baseman had a splendid season despite the team’s seeming descent this year wherein they lost 101 games.
Starting the 2012 with Triple-A Iowa Cubs, the first baseman did not take long to book a place in the roster. Becoming one of the consistent position players for the Cubs, Rizzo has gradually proven himself an invaluable asset of the Cubs defence and offence.
Defence because he remains active and aggressive there. His offensive prowess is equally noteworthy.
What distinguished him – as he represented the Cubs in MLB this past season, were three-game winning RBIs in first five games with his team – becoming the first player in the Cubs’ history to have such a feat.
Previously part of the San Diego Padres from where he was traded to the Cubs, Rizzo had a not-so-impressive .141 batting average in the first year of his career – playing a total of 49 games with 128 bat, hitting a homer and having 9 RBIs.
But things changed in 2012. In his 87 MLB games, after he was brought in, he had .285 batting average with .342 on-base percentage, smashing 15 home runs along with 48 RBIs.
“Rizzo obviously struggled (in 2011),” manager Dale Sveum said. “He made some drastic adjustments in his swing, and obviously it paid off at the Triple-A level, and he’s done one heck of a job for us in the three months (after the call-up).”
Although the year was going pretty well for him, it was that game where Darwin Barney failed to have a new milestone in MLB with his errorless games that Rizzo still regrets. Barney was to break single-season record for consecutive errorless games by a second baseman, but Rizzo’s attempt to prevent error was the reason that charged Barney.
But Rizzo s to change the outlook of the team with his performance, and be a perfect teammate. That is how he is going to set example.
“It's just one of those things where I'm trying to lead by example and have fun and backing up my teammates whether it's somebody making a bad throw that I should have caught or making a good play behind them,” he said. “I’ve just got to go from there and build chemistry with everyone. We’re all pretty young so all our relationships are growing. We all have to pull for each other.”
The Cubs have in Rizzo a player who has the potential to reorient the Cubs’ offence and defence in the years to come. That is what Rizzo is determined to prove.
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