Watch: Rizzo leads off, crushes HR on 1st pitch he sees
Joe Camporeale / Reuters
Perhaps Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has another option to hit leadoff for his club when the 2017 regular season gets underway.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who normally hits in the heart of the Cubs order, asked if he could hit leadoff against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday and rewarded acting manager for the day Dave Martinez for making the decision.
Rizzo crushed the first pitch he saw from Reds right-hander Tim Adleman deep over the right-field fence for a solo home run.
The 27-year-old has only hit first in the order once during his big-league career, which came in 2011 as a member of the San Diego Padres. He struck out in the at-bat.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
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