Rizzo reaches 100 RBIs with bases-clearing 3B

1st baseman among 4 Cubs in history with 3 seasons of 30 HRs, 30 2Bs and 100 RBIs

September 2nd, 2017

CHICAGO -- was able to reach the 100-RBI milestone with one swing.
Rizzo began play on Saturday with 97 RBIs, and he smacked a three-run triple in the fourth inning of the Cubs' 14-12 win over the Braves. He's the fourth player in Cubs history with at least three seasons of 30 homers, 30 doubles and 100 RBIs. Hack Wilson did so four times (1927-30), Billy Williams three times (1965, '70, '72) and Sammy Sosa three times (1997, 2000-01).
"It's something I want to continue to do, year in and year out, from just the standpoint of you do it one year, you do it again," Rizzo said. "You want to keep proving yourself, and that's the name of this game. You have to keep proving yourself and earning your name and earning your mark."

has watched Rizzo reach those numbers the past three seasons. Is the pitcher impressed?
"I expect more out of him, actually," Lester said, deadpan. He was kidding, Cubs fans.
"I think sometimes, people overlook consistency," Lester said. "They overlook people who go out and do their job every single day, who don't do anything flashy. His face is around, but he's not a 'look at me' guy. He's just an average dude who goes out and plays every single day, and I think that gets overlooked at times.
"Everybody wants flash and ... homers and doing all that 'look at me' stuff. The joker plays every day and plays hard, and his numbers speak for themselves."
In his past nine games, Rizzo was batting .485 with five doubles, one triple, three homers, 12 runs scored and 15 RBIs. He has 29 RBIs in his past 19 games.
"You know when you put him in the lineup what you're going to get," Lester said. "He's going to go through his ups and downs like the rest of us, but at the end of hte year, you'll look up and see 30 [homers] and 100 [RBIs]. He deserves everything that comes his way as far as acknowledgment and attention. It's impressive to see what he's done. I've been here with him for three years. It's impressive to see that he does that every single year."
What's also impressive is that Rizzo has been successful no matter who he's facing.
"You can see him locked in at the plate -- great balance, great hands, great finish on his swing," Maddon said. "He doesn't care who's pitching. He's playing with a lot of confidence, and he's obviously vital to us right now. He's the guy who is really piecing it together offensively."