CHICAGO -- Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo helped raise more than $100,000 to install modern lighting at his high school's baseball field at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Rizzo, who had donated $150,000 himself to the cause, was the host of the "Night Under the Lights" fundraiser last Thursday, which was co-sponsored by Florida homebuilder WCI/Lennar. More than 250 people, including Parkland mayor Christine Hunschofsky, attended the event, held at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
There was a silent and live auction, and Rizzo took part in a question-and-answer session. During that session, a couple shared a story about how Rizzo lifted their son's spirits after spending more than an hour with him during a hospital visit.
Navarro, Roth added as NRIs
The Cubs have added two more non-roster invitees. According to reports, the Cubs have signed first baseman/outfielder Efren Navarro and left-handed pitcher Michael Roth to Minor League deals.
Navarro, 31, has played in the big leagues with the Angels and Tigers. Last season, he appeared in 23 games with Detroit, batting .230 with two home runs.
Roth, 27, has appeared in 23 games with the Angels and Rangers over three seasons. According to reports, Roth will be paid $560,000 if he makes the big league roster. The lefty pitched for Great Britain in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier.
Cubs pitchers and catchers will have their first workout Feb. 14 in Mesa, Ariz.
Gimenez praises pal Lerud
Catcher Chris Gimenez, another non-roster invitee, is good friends with and a neighbor of new Class A Short Season Eugene manager Steven Lerud. The 2018 season will be Lerud's first as a manager. He played in 2012-13 for the Phillies and was an advance scout for the Rangers last year.
"He's always wanted to manage," Gimenez said of Lerud. "It's something that's been very high on his list of things to do. I don't think you could find a better person for it. He's extremely smart, baseball smart, a very good people person, and I think those kids who he'll [manage], they're very, very lucky. He's a tremendous person."
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Gimenez and Lerud work together at a baseball facility they run in Reno, Nev.
"We have some older high school kids and some kids who have graduated and gone to college and come back," Gimenez said. "He seems to do pretty well with those young kids. [Managing] will be a natural fit for him."
Race to Wrigley
Cubs Charities will host the 13th annual Race to Wrigley 5K charity run presented by ATI Physical Therapy on May 6. Registration for the race is open now through May 1. To register, runners should visit www.racetowrigley.com.
Runners will race through the Lakeview neighborhood before entering the Wrigley Field concourse. The race will end steps from the ballpark's marquee.
Proceeds from the race will benefit Cubs Charities, which provides increased access to sports opportunities and targets improvements in health, fitness and education for those at risk. Cubs Charities will donate proceeds from all personal fundraising to support pediatric cancer programs through Advocate Health Care.