Rizzo Redux
Here's an addendum to my piece the other day about Chicago Cubs All Star first-baseman Anthony Rizzo who donated $3.5 million through his foundation to Lurie Children's Hospital.
As I mentioned, I just think Rizzo is an absolutely great guy, and it's not only that his foundation donated so much money, but he has events throughout the year raise money, regularly visits the hospital, at least once a month during the season, and stays in touch with the people and families.
On one of his hospital visits a couple years ago, he befriend a new patient there, Mike Kasillis, who was older than most, at 22. But Rizzo felt a particularly close connection to him, since it was around the same age -- a few years older -- than when he himself was diagnosed with Hodgins lymphona. During on visit, Kasillis figured he'd play a bit of Babe Ruth with the Cubs star, and asked him to hit a home run for him at that night's game. And that he did, to please make some sort of signal to him so that he could see it on television. Obviously, hitting a home run on call is not something ballplayers can readily do. And Rizzo didn't. No, he hit two home runs that night. And signaled to the sky after each one.
Love that Rizz.
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