As the longest tenured member of the Cubs, slugger Anthony Rizzo has been through the lean years that started with 101 losses in 2012.
So Rizzo was quick to defend manager Joe Maddon in the wake of criticism over his strategy in the 2016 World Series.
Rizzo dryly understood why people were critical of Maddon’s tactics, which included questionable pitching changes in Game 7 that the Cubs won in 10 innings.
"Because there needs to be a story," Rizzo said of the detractors’ relentless questioning of Maddon’s motives. "(But) What he did, people who are really involved know since day one, he came in and set the tone. He completely flipped the way people think, the way we believe, and everyone bought into it.
Rizzo, who played for Dale Sveum (2012-13) and Rick Renteria (2014) before Maddon’s arrival, wasn’t finished with his support of Maddon.
"The credit he deserves, he gets a lot of it but I don’t think he gets enough," Rizzo said. "He lets me be me, He lets Javy (Baez) be Javy. He lets Willson (Contreras), Kris (Bryant), Addi (Russell) and everyone have a different personality. He understands that. It’s not easy to do."
Caption Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jon Lester on challenges of defending a World Series title
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Addison Russell on World Series: ‘It was a magical moment’
Cubs’ Addison Russell on winning the World Series: "It was a magical moment." (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Addison Russell on winning the World Series: “It was a magical moment.” (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jake Arrieta on selecting the glove he’ll use during the season
Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta talks about his glove at spring training on Feb. 16, 2017. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta talks about his glove at spring training on Feb. 16, 2017. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Caption Joe Maddon on earning swagger through winning
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how the Dodgers and Yankees have earned their swagger by creating winning cultures during spring training on Feb. 16, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how the Dodgers and Yankees have earned their swagger by creating winning cultures during spring training on Feb. 16, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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