That question as it associates with Rizzo has actually been the subject of almost as much regional sports talk so far this season as the Cubs closer scenario.
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At least not the method you probably think.
No season the Cubs have played with Rizzo has ever been constructed more for what he brings to a clubhouse, between a naughty sense of humor and smile and what he calls a communication style based less on blasting teammates than sending a message “in the right way, in the caring way.”
Lets get one thing straight about Cubs initially baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Not in the Mark Messier, intense-and-in-your-face method. Not the Kirby Puckett “Jump on, Im driving the bus” in Game 6 method. Not even the Derek Jeter all-business, team-spokesman, New York-state-of-mind way.
” Whats the definition of a leader to you?” Rizzo said during a long talk this spring about his function and expectations this year. “My style of leadership is my style.”
After a three-month shutdown and long-awaited go back to the field under strict testing procedures and fan-less conditions, no one has shown up the humor, and nobody has actually seemed to enjoy the minute more than the groups ringleader of all that dugout “energy” the manager and gamers keep speaking about.
And its no mishap.
Rizzos design as a frontman has actually been the perfect fit for this group in this moment, during a high-stress COVID-19 sprint the Cubs are leading at the three-week mark with a 13-3 record.
, however it begins with Rizz, for sure,” colleague Kyle Hendricks said. “Hes really taken on a lot, being an unbelievable teammate, the energy hes bringing every single day, its certainly on another level.”
After a fast exit from the playoffs in 2018 and missing out on the playoffs last year, Rizzo faced not only the possibility that the Cubs championship core remained in danger of being separated in trades but also a long appearance in the mirror at how much he wanted to change to become the type of leader and impact in the clubhouse he desired to be.
” I dont understand whether its the circumstance of the year or just a change in his method,” said first-year supervisor David Ross, a teammate in 2015-16. “I truly feel like hes just trying to have the many fun he possibly can out there on the baseball field on a nighttime basis.
The answer throughout the years has mostly involved playing 153 games a year with a career.862 OPS, fearless approaches charging batters and crowding the plate, and at least one remarkable comeback from a “season-ending” ankle injury during a pennant race to homer versus the Cardinals.
Hes not this teams leader. Or its captain.
From the hand sanitizer in his back pocket for the very first runner to reach very first base this season, to the “Tony 2 Chainz” bling for Wednesdays big night at the plate in Cleveland– that part of Rizzos nature that has to do with chuckling and attempting to lighten the state of mind for everybody else has never held more value.
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” You just find out more and more now its not truly the method to do it as much anymore, due to the fact that men will crawl into a hole a bit more and lose your trust.”
” I state all the time we create our own weather,” Rizzo stated of all the sound and “cheerleading” in the dugout thats not always new for this group– however newly required without any fans. “Whether its 30 degrees or 100 degrees, its how we take a look at it.”
” Anthony Rizzo has actually developed a lot since we played together, in a great way,” Ross stated. He continues to grow and desires to be the leader that he understands he is.
” Hes doing a great job of leading,” Ross stated, “and being the example of having fun.”
Colleagues state theyve seen small distinctions in Rizzo even considering that last year, in a determination to approach a teammate with something hes observed and even to organize a drill thats not being done right.
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” Its simply being conscious,” Rizzo said. “Not ranging from being the leader, being the quote-unquote face of the franchise of however you wish to state it. Its embracing it and making sure everyone is OK in all elements, whether its our bullpen, whether its guys not playing every day– just choosing guys up and making them feel all. And in return, its the same thing people are providing for me.”
And a season heavy on less-is-more, with limitations on how much time players can invest at the ballpark and carry out indoor hitting and video work, plays into the strengths of his personality and character.
Its not like he requires anybody to “slap a C on his chest,” as some of our favorite, amped-up broadcasters like to scream.
Rizzo said throughout a long talk this spring about his function and expectations this year.” I do not understand whether its the circumstance of the year or simply a change in his method,” said first-year supervisor David Ross, a teammate in 2015-16.” Anthony Rizzo has actually grown a lot considering that we played together, in an excellent method,” Ross stated. Rizzo said that only works “when men know its coming from the best location and coming from the heart,” he said, noting the change in clubhouse cultures simply considering that his launching in San Diego in 2011.” Its just being mindful,” Rizzo stated.
Its likewise the chains on Wednesday. And the pocket of hand sanitizer in the opener. And whatever he has in store behind the smile tomorrow.
Rizzo stated that only works “when people know its coming from the best place and coming from the heart,” he stated, noting the change in clubhouse cultures just because his debut in San Diego in 2011. “Its not, Call someone out in front of the entire group any longer. My first number of years it was more of that.
If hes ascending at 31 into a “management” function, its more a natural order of things, Rizzo recommended, more the turn of the core gamers to rise after the likes of previous veterans John Lackey, Dexter Fowler, Miguel Montero or even Ross cycled out of the clubhouse as players.
He already was a leading face for the franchise, a strong off-the-field agent and popular personality in the clubhouse– if not the timeless, first-to-the-park, last-to-leave, kick-ass leader.
However he stated Thursday he took to heart “discussion” he had with the front workplace, previous manager Joe Maddon and others considering that the end of last season.
He may never be those last few things. He said in spring training he had no intention of altering who he is: “Im not going to show up at 10 [a.m.] when I generally appear around 2 or 3. Thats pointless to me unless weve got something going on.”
If Rizzo was as follower earlier in his profession, he has clearly shown a shift in more recent seasons, none more than this one, with its real-world background and its borrowed-time feel for the core.
However dont confuse Rizzo with Jason Heyward as a guy whos all of a sudden going to call the next rain-delay meeting that influences a clubhouse to change baseball history. Thats still not necessarily Rizzos way.
