Sports can redefine, give new perspective and give people a new look on life. Sports can be an absolute healing process for people. Whether its watching it, playing it or simply just caring about it, sports are instrumental in people’s lives. Sports can save a person’s life. Just ask, world champions of the Chicago Cubs, Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo. How can sports save a life of two people who make millions of dollars and are absolute superstars in the game of baseball? Well, there was a time in both of their lives that neither of them could play the game they loved so much. They couldn’t play baseball anymore. And that’s because they were fighting for their life. Both Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo had to battle, beat, and overcome cancer. But you know what, I guarantee while they were battling the worst disease this life must offer, all they were focusing was getting back on the diamond, putting on their spikes and playing the sport they love since they were a kid. If it wasn’t for baseball who knows where these two would be? I know they wouldn’t be world champions, but the sport of baseball help overcome their cancer and if it wasn’t for baseball and their family, who knows what could have happened?
We’ll start with the veteran pitcher, Jon Lester. Lester has been dominating opposing team’s lineups for years. Every team he has been on he has been the best pitcher. With over 140 wins and closing in on 2,000 strikeouts in his career, it seems like Lester has done no wrong in his MLB career. Statistically, he is one of the best World Series pitchers of all time, as the stage is never too big for him and the lights don’t shine to bright. However, the start to his major league took a major hit. Lester recorded a 7-2 record in his rookie year. However, Lester was not able to finish the season. Lester was diagnosed with cancer. “On August 27, 2006, Lester was scratched from his scheduled start against the Oakland Athletics due to a sore back. The following day he was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and was sent back to Boston for testing. At the time, Lester's back problems were thought to be the result of a car crash he was involved in earlier in the month. On August 31, it was reported that Lester had been diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodesand was being tested for a variety of ailments, including forms of cancer. A few days later, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed that Lester had a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.[5]Lester underwent off-season chemotherapy treatments at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In December 2006, ESPN.com reported that Lester's latest CT Scanshowed no signs of the disease, which appeared to be in remission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Lester).” Can you imagine if Lester had not been removed from that start, or placed on the DL, or flew back to Boston for his injury? The cancer may have never been found and it could’ve turned out a lot more serious than it was. Lester went onto have an extraordinary 2007 season. It’s remarkable how man diagnosed with cancer in 2006 returns to the diamond in 2007. However, Lester doesn’t just return, he returns in style. “Lester made his first 2007 start for the Boston Red Sox on July 23 against the Cleveland Indiansat Jacobs Fieldin Cleveland, pitching 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 6, picking up the win.” Lester ended up winning four games that year with no loses. The Boston Red Sox were one win away from winning the World Series against the Colorado Rockies. They sent out Jon Lester to close the deal for them. Lester let up no runs in close to 6 innings of work. The Red Sox won that game 4-3, and if it wasn’t for Lester’s effort the Red Sox would have played another game, and anything can happen in a series if a team gains momentum, just ask the 2004 Red Sox. The next year, Lester ended up throwing a no hitter against the Kansas City Royals. I remember watching that game live, and the broadcasters kept saying how much this man has gone through, with the cancer and his fight. I looked up to Lester that night and for time to come. For a man to have a life threatning disease, to come back and not only be efficient but to be a World Champion and to throw a no hitter? That’s remarkable and one of the most courageous things I have ever seen and probably will ever see. Yet, his best act though has yet to come.
Anthony Rizzo, the next promising left handed power hitting first baseman was tearing up the minor leagues. Rizzo was supposed to be the next big thing and so far, in his career he proved that. Rizzo is a three-time all-star, hitting 134 homeruns in his short career so far and only getting better. However, before that was even a thought in his mind, Rizzo had to overcome his biggest challenge yet. Battling cancer. Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin's lymphomain April 2008. Rizzo had a fight for his life. He had to go through chemotherapy for 4 months. The worst 4 months of his life. And to make matters worse his grandmother was battling Breast Cancer. Rizzo’s grandmother wasn’t so lucky. You see the two of them shared a special bond. The two loved watching sports together and battled cancer together. They fought and fought and fought, yet they did it together. After Rizzo completed chemotherapy his tumors were gone. He was in remission and cancer free. Unfortunately, 2 weeks Rizzo was cured his grandmother passed away. Anthony Rizzo loved his grandmother deeply and was forever grateful she was by his side. Anthony Rizzo said, “I truly believe that my grandmother was holding on to be there and take care of me so I didn’t have to fight my cancer alone. Once she got the news that I was cancer-free, she could finally just relax and let go (http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/anthony-rizzo-r...)." Rizzo was finally allowed to live his normal life and get back to working towards his drea. Playing Major League Baseball. Rizzo was drafted in the 6th round in the 2007 draft by the Boston Red Sox. Jon Lester’s team. Eventually these two were going to be teammates, once Rizzo was promoted to the Major-League Club. Rizzo and Lester got to know each other from spending time in the Red Sox organization, Spring Training and they talked about their back stories and their obstacles to overcome cancer. However, Rizzo was traded to the Padres organization was squashed. The dream of these two becoming teammates was squashed, or at least we thought. Rizzo was traded from the Padres organization to the Cubs organization in 2012. Rizzo made the Padres regret it. Rizzo was called up to the Major Leagues in that same year. And Rizzo thrived. Over the next few years Rizzo compiled .267 Batting average, hitting 102 homeruns, with 316 RBI’s all before his 27th birthday. Rizzo was just entering his prime of his career and becoming one of the most feared hitters in the National League. But the Cubs still sucked. That all changed with one signing…
Jon Lester, who is still in the prime of his career, signed a 6 year, $155 million deal with the Chicago Cubs for the 2015 season. Rizzo and Lester, both players who battled for their life, bonded in Boston about their experiences, are now teammates for the Chicago Cubs. Both in the prime of their careers. Both ready to break the 108-year-old World Series curse the Chicago Cubs have hanging over their heads.
The Chicago Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908. 108 years ago, was a long time. Rizzo and Lester were ready to break that curse. The Cubs turned the corner in 2015. With the help of Rizzo, Lester and the rest of their young core, the Cubs finished with 97 wins. The most in a generation. The Cubs made it all the way to National League Championship Series, only to be swept by the New York Mets in four games. The Cubs, at the time were crushed, but were determined to return to the holy ground, but win it this time. Win the whole damn thing.
The Cubs entered the season as the early favorites to win the 2016 World Series, they had the best young players, the best depth, a great manager and just a real solid team. The Cubs finished the season with 103 wins. Anthony Rizzo finished with a .292 batting average, 32 homeruns and 109 RBI’s, all career highs. Jon Lester finished with a 19-5 record with a 2.44 ERA. Both phenomenal stats. Lester and Rizzo helped the Cubs roll through the National League playoffs and advancing to their first world series since 1945. Their opponent in the World Series? The Cleveland Indians, who were also facing a World Series drought. They last won World Series in 1948. The Indians went on to take a 3-1 series lead. The Indians were one win away from winning the World Series. However, Jon Lester wasn’t having any of it. In the next game, Jon Lester threw close to 7 innings of baseball, only allowing 2 runs. Lester left the game to a standing ovation from Cubs fans. The Cubs won that game 3-2. The series was going back to Cleveland. The Cubs won game 6, to force a winner take all game 7. With the Cubs leading 5-1, the Cubs manager put in Jon Lester into relief. His first relief appearance in almost forever. Lester got 2 huge outs but let up 2 runs off an error by the catcher David Ross. With a man on second with two outs, Lester made a huge strikeout and left the field jumping for joy. That was the biggest out of his life. The Cubs won that game 8-7 in 10 innings. Anthony Rizzo scored the 8th run of the game, the game winning run. Rizzo also caught the last out of the game. He took the throw from his best friend, third baseman Kris Bryant and immediately stuffed it in his back pocket. That was history. Rizzo ended up batting .360 with one homerun and 5 RBI’s in 7 games that series. He was a serious candidate for World Series MVP.
The Cubs snapped a 108-year-old World Series drought. Thanks to the help of Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo. These two show the hearts of Lions. They are tough, courageous, and they are winners. The won on the field but most importantly won off the field. These two are heroes to many, not just because they ended the Cubs drought but because what they’ve done off the field. These two give people hope for the future and they show anything, and I mean anything is possible, with heart, determination and pride.
In 2012, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation began. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, benefiting cancer research and the families fighting the disease. The foundation is run entirely by Rizzo's family, his close friends and his management team. Rizzo provides oversight and leadership.
Anthony Rizzo and Jon Lester will always share this special bond between them. They will always be brothers. And may God Bless them.
