Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is experiencing all the feels as he prepares to face former teammate Jon Lester on Monday night at Wrigley Field.
Rizzo took to Instagram with a post about Lester's influence on his life dating back to his early years as a minor leaguer with the Boston Red Sox. He also showed up to the stadium wearing Lester's old No. 34 Cubs jersey.
idk if Im going to be able to make it thru tonight pic.twitter.com/MdTiRoSKjZ
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) May 17, 2021
Lester signed with the Cubs ahead of the 2015 season. He, along with Rizzo, helped lead the franchise to its first World Series title in 108 years back in 2016.
The veteran left-hander is regarded by many as the best free-agent signing in team history. However, the Cubs declined Lester's club option for 2021, and he later signed with the Washington Nationals. Lester makes his return to the Friendly Confines on Monday, and Rizzo hopes he gets the ovation a player and person of his caliber deserves.
#Cubs Anthony Rizzo on Jon Lester: I hope the fans get here early, are on their feet and give him what he deserves.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) May 17, 2021
There is a deeper history as far as Rizzo and Lester are concerned. The Cubs All-Star alluded to it in the Instagram picture.
Both guys were drafted by the Red Sox. When Rizzo contracted cancer in 2008, he found a source of comfort and strength in Lester, who himself was also diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma back in 2006.
The two shared a connection that only deepened when Lester signed with the Cubs. Now, Rizzo will prepare to face Lester as an opponent as the left-hander takes the bump for the Nats on Sunday.
Pardon Rizzo for getting a bit emotional. Some things are bigger than baseball.
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