New York Yankees veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo is showing tremendous determination by taking advantage of the downtime between the ALCS and World Series to recover from injuries to two fingers on his right hand. Speaking at a digital press meet on Wednesday, 37-year-old Rizzo shared some of his challenges – such as playing through pain against Cleveland Guardians during their five game victory series victory despite hitting an impressive.429 average during five game series! He even hit three homeruns during that series! Regardless of being injured himself, Rizzo displayed his unwavering commitment towards contributing his team’s success by hitting an impressive.429 average over the five game series victory!
Countdown to Recovery
Rizzo will benefit greatly from having five days between Game 5 on Saturday and the start of the World Series against Los Angeles Dodgers to heal, with decreasing swelling being of primary concern due to fractured bones still present in his right leg. He expressed confidence that he can perform to his maximum ability in this year’s series.
Rizzo had to sit out the ALDS due to an injury from a pitch in the final game of the regular season. However, his participation in the ALCS roster and subsequent performance surpassed all expectations. His return saw him going 6-for-14, which included a double and two walks, marking an impressive comeback after weeks without game action.
A Team Inspired by Rizzo’s Grit
Rizzo’s teammate, Austin Wells, voiced his admiration for Rizzo’s resilience, finding it incredible how Rizzo could play despite having two fractured bones in his hand. Wells praised Rizzo’s dedication and toughness as inspirations for the whole team.
Rizzo mentioned the use of “effective medication” to help manage the pain, enabling him to contribute significantly to the team’s efforts. His role becomes even more crucial given the Dodgers’ shortage of lefty relievers, setting the stage for Rizzo, along with fellow lefties Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Jazz Chisholm, to potentially make a significant impact.
A Dream Realized in the World Series
The excitement of participating in the World Series mitigates the pain for Rizzo, who cherishes the rarity of such opportunities. With previous World Series experience from the 2016 Chicago Cubs championship team, Rizzo offers a wealth of knowledge and insight to his teammates who are navigating the pressures of the Fall Classic for the first time.
Rizzo looks forward to competing against Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman, whom he knows well as someone dealing with an injury himself. Rizzo applauded Freeman’s professionalism and dedication; looking forward to taking part against him on such an esteemed platform.
Wells shared his own postseason experience and highlighted its surreal nature, emphasizing their emphasis on winning more games as soon as their season has concluded.