After a collision at the plate to open up this series with the Padres, MLB informed both teams and Anthony Rizzo that his slide violated Rule 6.01(i)(7.13) requiring that a runner not deviate his path in order to initiate contact with a defender (Cubs.com)
MLB determined that Austin Hedges had properly allowed a path to the plate for Rizzo, who instead deviated – in their view – and initiated contact with Hedges. I still debate just how much Rizzo deviated his path in order to initiate contact (as opposed to choosing in a split second not to deviate his path and avoid contact), but MLB has the final say.
Rizzo, who spoke with MLB’s Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre about the incident, will not be subject to any punishment from MLB because there was no malicious intent (Cubs.com).
That’s good, because Rizzo has more incredible leadoff feats to pull off. Last night, he homered to open things up for the Cubs, reaching base in his seventh straight leadoff opportunity since moving into the role a week ago. At this point, by any objective measure, Rizzo has cemented himself as History’s Greatest Leadoff Hitter:
This man is in 2nd place in @AllStarGame voting.
We want him in 1st place. #VoteRizzo: https://t.co/84rSodCuNo pic.twitter.com/swF2O5Dmgz
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 21, 2017
Rizzo is happy to talk himself up, telling ESPN: “I’m sure my teammates are starting to get a little tired of it because I’m constantly in their ears. Non-stop, telling them, ‘Make sure you don’t miss it.'”
MBD was there to get a perfectly-timed shot of the blast (although given what Rizzo’s done, you pretty much know he’ll do something picture-worthy in that first plate appearance):
TFW you & 40k of your friends realize you led off another gm w a HR…well, most of them anyway @ARizzo44 #Cubs #ThatsCub @BleacherNation pic.twitter.com/5Watbupd4r
— MBDChicago (@MBDChicago) June 21, 2017
After the homer last night, I had a little fun when a segment of Baseball Twitter started giving me grief about History’s Greatest Leadoff Hitter:
Buncha bing bongs talkin' 'bout some Rocky Henderson guy. Don't know the man. I only know Anthony Rizzo, History's Greatest Leadoff Hitter.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
Rickey Henderson had a solid career .380 OBP when leading off the game.
People forget that Anthony Rizzo's career leadoff OBP is 1.000.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
Anthony Rizzo already has three leadoff homers in just seven games. Rickey Henderson had just one in his *entire career.*
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
Only one player in baseball history has homered to leadoff each game of four consecutive World Series.
Anthony Rizzo.
Truly incredible.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
Someday Rickey Henderson will also make the Hall of Fame, & History's Greatest Leadoff Hitter Anthony Rizzo will be there to shake his hand.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
I know it's not all about OBP or leadoff dingers.
Rickey Henderson: caught stealing 335 times, most in MLB history.
Anthony Rizzo: just 24.— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
Rickey Henderson hasn't had a leadoff hit in nearly 15 years. Anthony Rizzo had one earlier TONIGHT.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017
I'll never forget this famous GIF of Anthony Rizzo celebrating a leadoff bomb. pic.twitter.com/35mENyQEDC
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2017