CHICAGO -- When first baseman Anthony Rizzo was presented with his first Gold Glove award prior to Tuesday's game, he called two of the Cubs' coaches, Gary Jones and Franklin Font, out of the dugout to pose for photos with his trophy.
"It was unbelievable," Font said Wednesday. "The way he did that for 'Jonesy' and me, we really appreciate it. What [Rizzo] did last night before the game was amazing."
This was Rizzo's first Gold Glove, and he also received a platinum glove as the top defensive player in the National League.
"He put in the daily work," Jones said. "He's always had that type of ability and that type of footwork and the ability to be a very, very good first baseman. Over the last couple years, it's been fun to see him improve and get better and the way he works at his craft daily during batting practice when we're on the field."
Rizzo has established a pregame routine that Font and Jones help with.
"To get an award like that, you have to be in tune with every pitch and we always talk about guys being focused on every pitch and not taking a pitch off, and to get an award like that, that's what you have to do," Jones said.
Jones encouraged Rizzo to create a routine that he was comfortable with.
"You let the guys evolve and come up with a routine that they feel comfortable with -- 'This is what I need to do to get ready for the game that night,'" Jones said.
At the end of the drill, Rizzo gathers Font, Jones and anyone else nearby for a group hug at second base. They did so on April 10, the Cubs' home opener.
"It was the first game here, and we did it because it was Opening Night 2017 after winning the World Series," Font said, smiling.
"I think it shows the tightness and how much the players and the coaches, and how much everybody in this locker room cares for one another," Jones said of their hug.