When Anthony Rizzo spilled the beans earlier today that he’d be hitting leadoff tonight, the reaction around the Cubs fan world was a mix of “whaaaaaat?” and “whatever at this point, man”.
On a mid-day appearance on The Score, Joe Maddon explained that the move was designed to shake things up a little bit and buoy the players’ spirits. Which, well, kinda sounds like a mix of the Cubs fan reaction.
So naturally, Rizzo opened the game with a dang monster home run (via 120Sports):
Let’s take a look at @ARizzo44‘s 1st career lead-off AB, resulting in his 1st career lead-off HR. pic.twitter.com/GQK6roPsE8
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) June 13, 2017
That’s one way to show your approval of a new – even if temporary – spot in the batting order, and to maximize your production with the increased plate appearances.
The thing was absolutely hammered, too:
Rizzo absolutely destroyed that one, too. pic.twitter.com/qPcoG68edz
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) June 13, 2017