Anthony Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and 2016 World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, spoke about his admiration for fellow first basemen Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman during a recent interview. The respect Rizzo holds for Goldschmidt and Freeman stems from their shared era and consistent performance, making “Paul Goldschmidt Freddie Freeman admiration” a notable focus of his reflections.
Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Goldschmidt, the 2022 NL MVP now playing for the New York Yankees, all entered Major League Baseball within a year of each other. Freeman debuted in 2010, followed by Rizzo and Goldschmidt in 2011. This close timeline helped foster a unique camaraderie among the trio.
Rizzo Highlights the Mutual Respect Among Contemporary First Basemen
During Episode 8 of Glory Daze, hosted by former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, Rizzo explained why he relates more to Freeman and Goldschmidt than to older MLB legends such as Miguel Cabrera and Joey Votto. He emphasized their shared journey from the beginning of their careers.
“Freddie and Paul Goldschmidt, the three of us kind of came up at the same time,” Rizzo said [Timestamp from 43:52]. “They were always All-Stars, you know, Hall of Famers. I tried to just stay at that level, in that competition.”
Rizzo noted that while Cabrera and Votto were respected veterans during his early years, the age difference kept his strongest competitive connections closer to players like Freeman.
“Joey Votto and Miguel Cabrera were kind of older than us at the time,” he added. “So there was always such mutual respect for him (Freddie Freeman). How he goes about the game and play. It was always fun.”
After debuting with the San Diego Padres, Rizzo spent 12 seasons with the Chicago Cubs before playing four seasons with the New York Yankees. Currently a free agent, Rizzo’s career milestones and experiences with different teams contribute to his understanding of his peers.
Memorable Moment: Rizzo Strikes Out Freeman as a Pitcher
A surprising highlight in Rizzo’s career occurred on April 28, 2021, when he, primarily a position player, pitched against Freddie Freeman during a game between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Despite the game being a blowout with the Braves leading 10-0 in the seventh inning, Rizzo requested the opportunity to face Freeman on the mound.
Former Cubs manager David Ross confirmed that Rizzo asked to pitch in that situation, which allowed him a rare chance to challenge a fellow All-Star batter directly.
“I mean, I’m a two-way player,” Rizzo said [From 43:03]. “I did strike out Freddie. It was fun. Freddie was four-for-four in that game, and I go in, strike him out, pitch-sequenced him. You know, the whole thing, and made sure to tell everyone about it. I still have the ball.”
This moment became a humorous anecdote for Rizzo, who later joked about Freeman entering a slump afterward, jokingly claiming credit. He also revealed that he recently found the ball from that strikeout and requested Freeman’s autograph.
Rizzo’s admiration for Goldschmidt and Freeman combines respect for their talent with a shared sense of competition formed during their closely overlapping careers. As a free agent, observing the achievements of his contemporaries could influence his own next steps in the league.