Anthony Rizzo recently gave back to the cancer center that treated him.
According to a report from Carrie Muskat, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation “made a gift of $250,000 to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine.” The money was raised through fundraisers and will be “used to support the research of Dr. Izidore Lossos, director of the lymphoma program.”
“The hospital announced the waiting room on the second floor of a clinic at Sylvester will be named the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Hematology Oncology Waiting Room.”
Dr. Loosos said he appreciated and was grateful for the donation, but more importantly he is glad to see Rizzo playing baseball after surviving cancer as a teenager.
- Full Report from Carrie Muskat
- Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation
- The Jason Motte Foundation
- Jon Lester – NVRQT
Josh Vitters
The Cubs former first round pick signed on with a new organization. According to Baseball America, Josh Vitters inked a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. Vitters received a non-roster invite to big league camp.
The Cubs selected Vitters with the third overall pick in the 2007 draft. Vitters struggled with injuries and could not get out of his own way during his time in the Cubs organization. A change of scenery that includes no pressure could help Vitters get his career on track.
Josh Vitters played in 36 games for the Cubs in 2012 and batted .121/.193/.202 with two doubles and two home runs.
Mark Grote
WBBM-780 announced Friday the station hired Mark Grote to be the third man in the booth with Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer this season. Grote will provide in-game updates and the pre- and post-game shows. Grote’s other job responsibilities include Cubs updates on 670 The Score.
Mark Grote said on Twitter that he is thrilled, honored and humbled to be part of Cubs Radio.
Ted Lilly
According to a report from the Associated Press, Ted Lilly accepted a plea deal in the insurance fraud case, and he will not serve any jail time.
Ted Lilly was scheduled to appear in court Thursday. His lawyer entered a “plea of no contest to a misdemeanor count of insurance fraud.” Lilly has to pay a $2,500 fine, serve two years of informal probation and perform 250 hours of community service.
Lilly faced three felony charges of filing a false insurance claim according to the report. “Filing a false statement in connection with an insurance claim and concealing a material fact in connection with an insurance claim.” If convicted on all three charges, Lilly could have faced a five-year jail sentence.
Ted Lilly issued the following statement, “I would like to apologize for the terrible error in judgment which has led to the present situation. My actions do not reflect the way I choose to live. I am very much determined to earn back a reputation of trust and transparency.”
Ted Lilly is currently a Special Assistant to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.
Non-Roster Invitees
The Cubs released the first roster of the spring Friday which included 19 non-roster invitations. The Cubs spring roster officially stands at 59 players, only 58 are active. Logan Watkins is not able to participate in Spring Training and is likely out for the year.
The following nine pitchers were invited to Major League camp: right-handed pitchers Daniel Bard, Corey Black, Anthony Carter, Jorge De Leon, Pierce Johnson, Armando Rivero and Donn Roach, as well as left-handed pitchers Francisley Bueno and Hunter Cervenka.
Five infielders were invited to Major League camp: Kris Bryant, Jonathan Herrera, Addison Russell, Chris Valaika and Logan Watkins (injured).
Three outfielders were invited to big league camp: Albert Almora, Mike Baxter and Adron Chambers. And two catchers were invited to big league camp: Kyle Schwarber and Taylor Teagarden.
- Full Report – Kris Bryant, Addison Russell among 19 Players Receiving Non-Roster Invites to Cubs Spring Training
Cubs Uniform Numbers
Here’s an update on the new uniform numbers for the upcoming season: Joe Maddon (70), Jon Lester (34), Jason Hammel (39), Miguel Montero (47), Jason Motte (30), Chris Denorfia (15), David Ross (3), Dexter Fowler (24), Mike Olt (20), Tsuyoshi Wada (18), Joseph Ortiz (60), Tommy La Stella (11), Drake Britton (66), John Mallee (2) and Dave Martinez (4).
News, Notes and Rumors
Logan Watkins tweeted Friday that surgery to repair his torn Achilles went well. Watkins thanked everyone for the kind words and support and said it helped him a lot.
The Rangers signed OF Nate Schierholtz to a minor league contract. Schierholtz received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and can earn $1.75 million if he is in the big leagues.
Veteran catcher Eli Whiteside left the Cubs and signed a minor league contract with the Braves early in the off-season. According to a report from Amy Gutierrez, Whiteside is no longer with the Braves and has taken a job on the Giants staff. Whiteside is now the bullpen catcher for the San Francisco Giants.
And last, but not least, just a reminder to vote in the CCO’s poll →
This Day In Cubstory
1983 – Cubs traded Butch Benton to the Expos for Jerry Manuel
1983 – Scott Feldman, born
1981 – Seth McClung, born
1979 – Jon Leicester, born
1950 – Burt Hooton, born
1937 – Juan Pizarro, born
1926 – Dummy Lynch, born
1921 – Cubs released Claude Hendrix
1899 – Earl Whitehill, born
1876 – Pat Moran, born