CHICAGO — Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo exploded for three hits and three RBIs in Wednesday night's 10-2 win over the Dodgers, but that's not what has the internet buzzing the day after.
Instead, it's Rizzo's apology to home plate umpire Angel Hernandez that has earned the All-Star a whole new legion of fans.
In the fifth inning, Rizzo thought he'd drawn a walk, so he dropped his bat and headed to first. But Hernandez called the pitch a strike, and Rizzo had to return to the plate. The premature bat drop is often interpreted as showing up the ump.
So when Rizzo stepped up to the plate again in the seventh, he apologized — a conversation captured by Fox Sports 1's microphones and highlighted later in the game.
"My fault on that strike," Rizzo said.
"No worries," Hernandez responded. "And you know what's best of it? You come back and you tell me that. That's how good of a guy you are."
At least on Wednesday night, nice guys finished first.
The Cubs return to action against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series at 7 p.m., Thursday, in Los Angeles.
.@ARizzo44 - a guy you can take home to mom. pic.twitter.com/8YBgUS9Tdw
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 20, 2016
I ❤️ #AnthonyRizzo #FlyTheW Video: Rizzo Apologies to Umpire for Actions in Game 4 | NBC Chicago https://t.co/Qx4MCGKDk8 via @nbcchicago
— MaryAnne Lyons (@MsDemeanor123) October 20, 2016
Tonight was another example of why Rizzo is such a great person. We need more role models like him in our world. #AnthonyRizzo #ChicagoCubs
— Tina Fogal (@fogs0713) October 20, 2016
Apologizing to that ump was an honorable thing to do, #AnthonyRizzo. Thanks for the example. @Cubs#NLCS #NLCSGame4
— Truth Up! (@Upholding_Truth) October 20, 2016
Major respect for #Rizzo. Hearing the conversation he had with the umpire was awesome! Great job #AnthonyRizzo
— Jbarnz (@barnz317) October 20, 2016
@ARizzo44, you gained another fan tonight! Well Done! Teaching moment for the younger generation 4 sure! #classact https://t.co/KBJPkpkGiI
— Jeff Priest (@SCMPriest) October 20, 2016
Hearing the conversation between Rizzo and the ump just gives you more reason to love him! #classact
— Ellen Brunner (@ebrunner_25) October 20, 2016
Much more #respect for @AnthonyRizzoMLB listening to his conversation with umpire tonight. #sportsmanship #leader #rizzopower #classact pic.twitter.com/qPpL4OC6aI
— Michael Tarjan (@MTarjanEdD) October 20, 2016
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