Feb. 22--As a veteran of five major league seasons, Anthony Rizzo has been around long enough to not overlook the work the Chicago Cubs must put in to achieve their goal of a World Series.
Rizzo, 26, knows that expectations will be great after winning 97 games and advancing to the National League Championship Series. But Rizzo emphasized the need to survive April and the cold weather anticipated for Wrigley Field before focusing on larger goals down the road.
"I don't think anyone is overlooking anything," Rizzo said Monday morning. "Obviously you go to bed at night and you have that World Series picture in mind, but we're not getting out of the moment."
Newcomer Ben Zobrist, who carved an impressive career after playing multiple positions, had some advice for second-year player Kyle Schwarber, who is trying to master his defense in left field and catcher.
"Defensively, he needs to just have all the confidence in the world with the work he's putting in," Zobrist said. "It comes down to being confident and comfortable mentally knowing he prepared himself to be the best he can, and he's doing all the right things."
Zobrist, who expanded his versatility to the outfield after starting as a shortstop with the Tampa Bay Rays before joining the Cubs as a second baseman, knows that Schwarber faces a major challenge because of the differences of learning left field and catcher.
"But you switch your mindset to a different position (and say) 'we'll I know how to do this, too. Plug that program into the computer and let it play out."
