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Cub Tracks’ at first you succeed

Rizzo forever, and other bullets

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one base at a time
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

It was a beautiful day in southern Arizona. I went for a walk and listened to the game. I was kinda missing Chicago — I moved away eighteen years ago, and somehow, during my walk, I acquired the makings for a quartet of Italian beefs. Didn’t have the true Anthony Rizzo specials — I don’t care for the red gravy on that sammich. But hots and mozz, toasted and dipped, that’s for me. On garlic bread.

I have those red and yellow plastic baskets to serve my sammiches in, and wax paper and foil, and a deep fryer for the hand-cut fries, so it’s like an authentic experience, especially for my dinner companions, who have never even been to Chicago, let alone had a Buona beef, or one from my preferred venues, Paul’s Pizza or Uncle Pete’s.

Good enough that beefs are in the starting lineup and the regular rotation.

I don’t think it’s a secret that Rizzo is my favorite player (I tend to like first basemen despite having been a relief pitcher). I love me some Javier Baez, and I love me some Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, but Rizzo’s heart and perspective and gamesmanship won me over long ago (like during a certain game in Cincinnati). I’m all for him being in Chicago as long as he wants to.

Let’s make that happen, Cubs. Respect him.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

“If you were MLB commissioner for a day, what’s one thing you would do?

Rizzo: For the day? No idea. I have no idea. Probably sit back and kick my feet up on the desk.”

  • Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Rizzo hopes to complete his career with the Cubs: ‘We’ve been through a lot together’. “...I could never see myself playing anywhere else, at least by my choice,” he said.”
  • Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): After Hollywood-esque rookie season, David Bote breaks down swing adjustments and fear of failure. “...this winter, he had to figure out how to hold up over a larger sample, especially now that the league had caught on to his weaknesses.”
  • Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Albert Almora Jr has everyday player mentality. “Joe’s got a hard job with a bunch of talent that we have here. It’s a good problem to have,” he said.
  • Jeffrey Greenblatt (Jambase): Eddie Vedder talks Cubs World Series Victory & more on ‘Off The Mound’ [VIDEO].

Cubs birthdays: Merwin Jacobson, Ed Bouchee, Jimmie Hall, Randy Stein, Joe Carter,

Food for thought: