Pennant Winner: Anthony Rizzo

The Chicago first baseman claims his long overdue award as my MLBoyfriend as the Cubs head to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

There were several times during the regular season Rizzo that I considered giving Rizzo the title. He put up some impressive numbers with a very good .292 batting average and an even more impressive .928 OPS including 43 doubles, 4 triples, and 32 home runs. Also, he plays for one of my family's favorite teams, the long-suffering and now powerful Cubs.  With all that and some other qualities I look for in MLBoyfriends, Rizzo seemed like a lock to win it sooner or later.

I took it for granted that he would win in the postseason, so I delayed almost too long. To say Rizzo's October got off to a shaky start is an understatement. In the National League Division Series, he had a pathetic .067 batting average and a sad .176 on base percentage. Then, things went from bad to worse as the Conference Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers began. In the first two games he went 0 for 8, and the only reason his on base for those two games wasn't .000 is that he managed to draw one walk. He didn't get his first hit of the series until Game 3, but still underperformend in the game. Things were looking bad for the Cubs and for Rizzo's chances of becoming my MLBoyfriend.

Then came Game 4. Rizzo and the rest of the Cubs bats not only woke up, but dominated. Rizzo batted in 3 three of the Cubs 10 runs with a solo homer and well-placed single with the bases loaded. In a nice bit of baseball lore, Rizzo broke his slump and hit the homer by borrowing a teammate's bat.

Rizzo started off strong in Game 5 with an RBI double in the first inning. A bunt in the seventh gave him another hit.

Rizzo had another solo home run in Game 6, but it was being part of the game-ending double play that was the icing on the cake. When asked if he still had the ball, his reply is completely delightful.

Congratulations on winning the National League Pennant and the MLBoyfriend Pennant, Anthony Rizzo.  In the end, I think Rizzo's slump was as big a part of his catching my eye as his strong performance in the last three games. Everyone loves a come back story. Of course, I'm also happy that this post gives me a chance to post a picture of Rizzo celebrating with his BFF and former my former MLBoyfriend, Kris Bryant.