Anthony Rizzo saw a lot of Harrison Bader over the last few years during the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, so he knows what type of player Bader is. He has been happy all along to call Bader a teammate since the trade deadline brought him over from St. Louis, but suffice to say that after Bader’s performance in Game 1, Rizzo’s respect has been multiplied for his comrade.
“I always was a fan of his game. I think getting traded over here, his hometown where he grew up, and the clubhouse and atmosphere we create for everyone here is very welcoming,” Rizzo said. “As soon as guys can get here and feel like themselves right away, I think it's very beneficial. He was able to do that. It was a tough situation coming in, basically in a walking boot, not being able to play for, feels like the whole second half, but when he did play, the impact he has made already on defense, baserunning, the big hit today, I really like his game and I like him as a person.”
Bader’s home run in the third inning tied the game at 1-1, and came after two big defensive plays - one by Bader, one by Rizzo - saved a run in a rough situation in the top of the inning – and swung the very important momentum back to the Yankees’ side.
“Big time. We’ve talked about the team that we've been all year, about picking each other up. We had the five or six days to talk about that a lot, about how unexpected things are going to happen, and two guys that you're not really expecting to go deep in the game to start it off with (Cleveland’s Steven) Kwan and Bader, get it rolling,” Rizzo said. “Kwan puts a nice swing on Gerrit's pitch, and then we answer right back at the bottom of the inning. That was a big early test for us. It definitely was a boost.”
Rizzo, of course, punctuated the 4-1 win with his own two-run homer, which is not to be lost in the Bader love.
“Whenever you can add on to a lead, especially in a series like this where it's five games and kind of a sprint, it just feels good,” Rizzo said.
But as one of the few guys on the roster with a World Series ring (a group depleted by Aroldis Chapman’s absence), he understands that sometimes, the big plays don’t show up in the scorebooks, but can indeed swing that momentum.
“I think in the playoffs, things are going to happen that you're just not used to seeing, and today was a reminder – that baserunning play at third was a play you don't really see often happen,” Rizzo said, referencing what was ruled a fielder's choice that allowed Josh Naylor to reach but saw Rizzo keep Amed Rosario at third. “You just know things are going to happen; that you start scratching your head, like what is this, what's going on. But I think the more we stay together as a group internally, especially as it gets louder outside, the better off we'll be.”
And now, with a day off before Game 2, the Yankees have a lot more to be happy about, especially coming out and now making Cleveland have to win three of four to advance.
“It feels good. The Guardians are a young team that has a lot of momentum and have been pitching really well and playing really well.
That's a scary combination,” Rizzo said. “With them coming in after a big Wild Card series win, it feels really good to come out and get Game 1.”
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