When I was in high school about 15 years ago we did the first baseman set up very close play when our coach thought there might be a bunt. If the batter didn’t show bunt he was supposed to dive into foul territory and cover his head. If I remember correctly we called the play “Crazy”. It did work occasionally. Some parents didn’t love it
People may not remember, but the origin story of the Rizzo "silly position" bunt coverage was to prevent Lester from having to throw to first. He just kept at it though even when Lester wasn't pitching.
Side note: it's funny how recent the Lester yips issue is but yet it seems so archaic. Like, kids today wouldn't believe you if you told them there was a star pitcher who was simply unable to throw the ball to a base. Feels like a tall tale from the early days of baseball, but it was only like a decade ago.
One great memory that I have of Anthony Rizzo is of him leaning over the dugout railing and laughing on that play against the Pirates where Javy Baez got the first baseman to chase him back home instead of just stepping on first base.
This is a reminder that Rizzo has been a main character in the game of baseball for the last decade or so. You can't tell the story of the game without including him.
Here’s another first base collision. Last game of the 2023 season season. “In the final game of the regular season, Muncy dislocated his elbow when Jace Peterson of the Milwaukee Brewers collided with his arm while he was attempting to field the ball at first base, making him unavailable for the playoffs.” It was really ugly to watch on TV.
When I was about 8 years old playing in the local rec league, I was playing first base and did a more aggressive version of the Josh Smith play, where I put my toe in the middle of the bag with my ankle pointed up in the air as I received the throw. The batter hooks his ankle around mine as he runs through the bag and absolutely destroys his leg. I felt terrible, and as the adults on his team are getting him medical care, my coach is out there teaching me how I'm supposed to play first base, and how to get my foot on the side of the bag. I'll remember that forever (along with the absurdly large cast that the other kid was wearing in school for the next few months). I'm surprised that a real major league first baseman (who had time to set up properly!) is out there doing the same thing! Yeesh.
Sam, as a comment on the podcast episode on Rizzo:
I think Christian Yelich is my "is not a HOF but is above-expectations loved by his team's fans." Coincidentally talked about next episode about becoming a HOFer, but I don't think so. But he broke out nearly as soon as he got to Milwaukee, he was good but forgettable on his previous team, traded for which (to me) feels more organic than a free agent signing, the people love offense more than defense, and the Brewers have been a way-above-expectations and legitimately good team for most of his time on the team. Supplanting the hated Cubs during that time as the best team in the division. Legitimately good teams, almost made the World Series once, whereas before they were only sometimes good. And now they're the best-ish Brewers team ever. He's the only guy who has been there for the whole stretch, batting top 5 the whole time. I think the only difference between him and Rizzo is the title...and affability. Rizzo was affable as hell. "Rizz-o" before his time.
My other guy is Schwarber. He's not there yet with the Phillies but if he signs a 4 year contract and gets three more years hitting nearly 50 homers, I think he's there. Bryce Harper is too expected, he's gonna get an expected ovation. Schwarber isn't Rizzo level affable, but he's way up there.
Yes, I highlighted two white guys, Rizzo also being a white dude. I think, culturally, that matters whether you agree or not.
To make this comment even longer, I have a belief any starting shortstop who had 9+ years for the same team automatically qualifies for this "beloved above WAR-expectations" things. Don't know if the people agree....don't know how "deeply" loved Crawford and Xander are...despite the fact I believe they should be. Here's chatgpt's findings for anybody who played a season after 1980:
Baltimore Orioles — Mark Belanger (1968–1981, 14)
Baltimore Orioles — Cal Ripken Jr. (1982–1996, 15)
As a Royals fan, I'll throw Salvador Perez into that conversation. If he can stay productive for another couple years, he may make the HOF, but his framing has really hurt him. But career Royal, World Series MVP, and a really likeable guy. He definitely means more to the franchise and fans than can be measured with his WAR.
oh yes absolutely, gigantic oversight. He's gotta be #1 for this list. As not a Royals fan, he's also so big and visible as a catcher he's constantly reminding you he's there. Whereas most catchers have the same silhouette and disappear in the pitcher-batter shot. And he catches (too) many games so he's there everyday.
Well, I wasn't surveyed but the one thing I'll remember Anthony Rizzo for was his vicious blow-up of defenseless catcher Austin Hedges in 2017. And then, instead of acknowledging his act (he was cited by MLB for breaking the "Posey rule") he played hard-ass and defended himself as making a baseball play. He knew exactly what he was doing. What a dirty player.
Cubs fan, watched a lot of Cubs during that time. In every way he was a prototypical baseball jock, who also had cancer and was from florida.
He clearly cares deeply about and likes the sport, isn't super concerned about hurting his body or yours while playing, can feel slighted, bouts of overconfidence, bro teammate relationships he'll irrationally defend, way more extroverted than the normal person, did stupid pranks that maybe were at someone's expense, anti-vax, and with his baseball fame he visited very sick kids.
When I was in high school about 15 years ago we did the first baseman set up very close play when our coach thought there might be a bunt. If the batter didn’t show bunt he was supposed to dive into foul territory and cover his head. If I remember correctly we called the play “Crazy”. It did work occasionally. Some parents didn’t love it
Been patiently waiting my whole life to hear of this
Shout-out Coach George
People may not remember, but the origin story of the Rizzo "silly position" bunt coverage was to prevent Lester from having to throw to first. He just kept at it though even when Lester wasn't pitching.
Side note: it's funny how recent the Lester yips issue is but yet it seems so archaic. Like, kids today wouldn't believe you if you told them there was a star pitcher who was simply unable to throw the ball to a base. Feels like a tall tale from the early days of baseball, but it was only like a decade ago.
One great memory that I have of Anthony Rizzo is of him leaning over the dugout railing and laughing on that play against the Pirates where Javy Baez got the first baseman to chase him back home instead of just stepping on first base.
Was gonna mention Willson when reading about rizzo, specifically that foul ball 😂
Also, ICYMI, Willson has had some amazing quotes when asked about playing that close back in May.
From Katie woo… “Multiple coaches told Contreras to move back in real time. Multiple teammates were in disbelief he was that close.
Contreras on the other hand: "I don't care. I'm not afraid. If I'm gonna die, I'll die right there."’
!!!!
This is a reminder that Rizzo has been a main character in the game of baseball for the last decade or so. You can't tell the story of the game without including him.
Here’s another first base collision. Last game of the 2023 season season. “In the final game of the regular season, Muncy dislocated his elbow when Jace Peterson of the Milwaukee Brewers collided with his arm while he was attempting to field the ball at first base, making him unavailable for the playoffs.” It was really ugly to watch on TV.
When I was about 8 years old playing in the local rec league, I was playing first base and did a more aggressive version of the Josh Smith play, where I put my toe in the middle of the bag with my ankle pointed up in the air as I received the throw. The batter hooks his ankle around mine as he runs through the bag and absolutely destroys his leg. I felt terrible, and as the adults on his team are getting him medical care, my coach is out there teaching me how I'm supposed to play first base, and how to get my foot on the side of the bag. I'll remember that forever (along with the absurdly large cast that the other kid was wearing in school for the next few months). I'm surprised that a real major league first baseman (who had time to set up properly!) is out there doing the same thing! Yeesh.
Sam, as a comment on the podcast episode on Rizzo:
I think Christian Yelich is my "is not a HOF but is above-expectations loved by his team's fans." Coincidentally talked about next episode about becoming a HOFer, but I don't think so. But he broke out nearly as soon as he got to Milwaukee, he was good but forgettable on his previous team, traded for which (to me) feels more organic than a free agent signing, the people love offense more than defense, and the Brewers have been a way-above-expectations and legitimately good team for most of his time on the team. Supplanting the hated Cubs during that time as the best team in the division. Legitimately good teams, almost made the World Series once, whereas before they were only sometimes good. And now they're the best-ish Brewers team ever. He's the only guy who has been there for the whole stretch, batting top 5 the whole time. I think the only difference between him and Rizzo is the title...and affability. Rizzo was affable as hell. "Rizz-o" before his time.
My other guy is Schwarber. He's not there yet with the Phillies but if he signs a 4 year contract and gets three more years hitting nearly 50 homers, I think he's there. Bryce Harper is too expected, he's gonna get an expected ovation. Schwarber isn't Rizzo level affable, but he's way up there.
Yes, I highlighted two white guys, Rizzo also being a white dude. I think, culturally, that matters whether you agree or not.
To make this comment even longer, I have a belief any starting shortstop who had 9+ years for the same team automatically qualifies for this "beloved above WAR-expectations" things. Don't know if the people agree....don't know how "deeply" loved Crawford and Xander are...despite the fact I believe they should be. Here's chatgpt's findings for anybody who played a season after 1980:
Baltimore Orioles — Mark Belanger (1968–1981, 14)
Baltimore Orioles — Cal Ripken Jr. (1982–1996, 15)
New York Yankees — Derek Jeter (1996–2014, 18)
Boston Red Sox — Xander Bogaerts (2014–2022, 9)
Chicago White Sox — Ozzie Guillén (1985–1997, 13)
Detroit Tigers — Alan Trammell (1979–1996, 17)
Cleveland Guardians (Indians) — Omar Vizquel (1994–2004, 11)
Kansas City Royals — Freddie Patek (1971–1979, 9)
Oakland A’s — Bert Campaneris (1964–1976, 13)
Texas Rangers — Elvis Andrus (2009–2020, 12)
Milwaukee Brewers — Robin Yount (1974–1984, 11)
Philadelphia Phillies — Larry Bowa (1970–1981, 12)
Philadelphia Phillies — Jimmy Rollins (2001–2014, 14)
St. Louis Cardinals — Ozzie Smith (1982–1995, 14)
Cincinnati Reds — Dave Concepción (1972–1985, 14)
Cincinnati Reds — Barry Larkin (1988–2003, 16)
Los Angeles Dodgers — Bill Russell (1972–1982, 11)
San Francisco Giants — Brandon Crawford (2012–2022, 11)
San Diego Padres — Garry Templeton (1982–1991, 10)
Colorado Rockies — Troy Tulowitzki (2007–2015, 9)
As a Royals fan, I'll throw Salvador Perez into that conversation. If he can stay productive for another couple years, he may make the HOF, but his framing has really hurt him. But career Royal, World Series MVP, and a really likeable guy. He definitely means more to the franchise and fans than can be measured with his WAR.
oh yes absolutely, gigantic oversight. He's gotta be #1 for this list. As not a Royals fan, he's also so big and visible as a catcher he's constantly reminding you he's there. Whereas most catchers have the same silhouette and disappear in the pitcher-batter shot. And he catches (too) many games so he's there everyday.
Cub fan here. Other things that might be on the list of top ten Rizzo things:
"Frederick! Freddie!"
Striking out Freddie
"I'm in a glass case of emotion!"
Bryzzo/Bryzzobrist (related to the healthy male friendship)
"Intoxicated"
I know there's at least one other obvious one, but I can't think of it right now.
Well, I wasn't surveyed but the one thing I'll remember Anthony Rizzo for was his vicious blow-up of defenseless catcher Austin Hedges in 2017. And then, instead of acknowledging his act (he was cited by MLB for breaking the "Posey rule") he played hard-ass and defended himself as making a baseball play. He knew exactly what he was doing. What a dirty player.
Cubs fan, watched a lot of Cubs during that time. In every way he was a prototypical baseball jock, who also had cancer and was from florida.
He clearly cares deeply about and likes the sport, isn't super concerned about hurting his body or yours while playing, can feel slighted, bouts of overconfidence, bro teammate relationships he'll irrationally defend, way more extroverted than the normal person, did stupid pranks that maybe were at someone's expense, anti-vax, and with his baseball fame he visited very sick kids.