Rizzo felt ‘helpless’ after shooting
Cubs slugger played for coach killed in Parkland school massacre
MESA, Ariz. — Anthony Rizzo’s parents were among the first homeowners in Parkland, Fla. He has watched his tight community grow and change dramatically. He remembers as a boy when there were no stoplights in town to the four there are now.
The Cubs first baseman still feels tied to his hometown that touches up on the Everglades.
So last week, after the shooting rampage at his former high school, Rizzo knew he must immediately go home. “Numb” is how he described his initial feelings.
He left his team’s camp in Arizona and spoke at a candlelight vigil at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He visited victims in the hospital. He spent time with his parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. He spoke with neighbours.
“I felt helpless here,” Rizzo said Monday upon rejoining his teammates at spring training. “That’s where I grew up: In Parkland. I got in trouble there. I succeeded there. I learned how to be who I am because of Parkland, because of Stoneman Douglas.”
A 2007 graduate of the school, Rizzo played for slain assistant football coach Aaron Feis and Rizzo’s brother played four seasons for Feis as well. Rizzo, who last November donated US$150,000 toward getting lights for the baseball and softball fields, saw him a few weeks ago.
“Every single one of my best friends in high school, we all have memories of Coach Feis,” Rizzo said. “For him to lay his life down like that and save kids just shows the type of person he is. He has, I believe, a daughter or son at home. He’s a true hero.”
Rizzo isn’t ready to say how he might honour all of those lost. It’s all still so fresh right now.
“They’ll be in my heart every day,” he said, “They’ll be in my thoughts every day.”
Votto red with envy over playoff drought
Joey Votto is yearning for the Cincinnati Reds to get back to a level where he’s playing for more than acclaim.
He envisioned a run of playoff-calibre seasons in Cincinnati when he committed long term.
“It’s been on my mind that we’re starting to get to the point where people are tired of this stretch of ball,” Votto said, referring to the Reds finishing out of the playoffs the past four seasons.
At age 34, Votto will get paid $25 million each of the next six seasons. There’s also a club option for 2024 at $20 million with a $7-million buyout, so the Reds owe him at least $157 million on the remainder of his deal.
Votto has never complained about the front office’s decisions or the slow pace of the rebuilding movement.
“It’s not my place,” Votto said.
Collusion allegations ‘ridiculous’: Henry
Red Sox owner John Henry calls talk of collusion in free-agent negotiations “ridiculous.” About half the 166 players who exercised free-agency rights remain unsigned.
“You just can’t expect every season to be a feeding frenzy,” Henry said.
Jake Arrieta and Mike Moustakas are among players still on the market.
“This one, it’s surprised me,” Henry said of the slow pace of agreements. “But I think probably next year will be quite different.”
Next year’s free-agent class includes Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson.