Sept. 23--Rookie Kris Bryant moved ahead of veteran Anthony Rizzo in their friendly gamesmanship to reach 100 RBIs.
"Anthony and I have been joking about that," Bryant said late Tuesday night after taking the lead with 98 after a three-RBI performance. "It's a really a distraction, but it's always up there on the scoreboard. You see it every day. Last year I struggled with it (in the minors), but I ended up getting there (with 110)."
Bryant revealed that he and Rizzo, who has 95 RBIs, were telling each other, "you only have five more," before kidding that they were tired and wanted to take a day off.
"One hundred RBIs is definitely something to be proud of if I can get there," Bryant said.
Bryant drove in three runs Tuesday night in the Chicago Cubs' 4-0 win over the Brewers. Bryant set a rookie franchise record by hitting his 26th home run in the third inning, surpassing the previous record of 25 set by Billy Williams in 1961.
Many of the 36,270 fans at Wrigley Field gave Bryant an ovation, and Rizzo stepped out of the batter's box so Bryant could get a curtain call.
"The Cubs fans have been incredible to me and the team," Bryant said. "And we're winning, they're excited, and we're excited. It's a special moment to get on the (dugout) steps and get their recognition. It's something I'll never forget."
