March 30--Anthony Rizzo paused before deciding whether he was more nervous during his first major league at-bat in 2011 or playing the piano in front of his Chicago Cubs teammates before Tuesday's workout.
"First at-bat in the majors, but that was not easy," said Rizzo, who started taking piano lessons six weeks ago. "My first live gig there. It was tough."
Manager Joe Maddon, however, was delighted that Rizzo passed a spontaneous test and received loud applause from his supportive teammates.
Maddon believes Rizzo, 26, is evolving more naturally as a leader after great expectations that he believes came too soon.
"I love the fact we put him in an uncomfortable, unannounced position, and he came through," Maddon said. "That's the kind of stuff I really appreciate and respect. He's growing into that position.
"I thought there was a lot of undue expectation put on him last year about being a team leader. He was 25 going on 26. Let the guy grow up a little bit and let him get his feet underneath him, and he will grow into that position. He's being nurtured properly and raised properly. We have the right pack of wolves to bring him on up. He's benefited a lot from the veteran players here."
Maddon likes the fact that Rizzo is now part of a veteran group that includes Jake Arrieta, David Ross and John Lackey.
"I like the balance," Maddon said. "He's been groomed properly."
