The New York Yankees are missing a key veteran in Anthony Rizzo as they begin their march to a 28th championship. The 35-year-old first baseman is still contributing to his team’s success by mentoring his replacements.
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
With Rizzo out for the ALDS due to injury, the Bombers are turning to a trio of fill-in first basemen: Oswaldo Cabrera, Ben Rice and Jon Berti. Of the three, Rice has the most experience, with 115 games at first base across all levels. Cabrera has played 17 games at first, all in the majors, while Berti has never played the position as a professional.
“We are like the students, and he is like our Mr. Miyagi,” Cabrera said of Rizzo’s tutelage, per the YES Network.
Rizzo, who’s amassed 1,699 games at first base in his 14 MLB seasons, winning four Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove in the process, is nursing two fractured fingers on his right hand. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on Sept. 28.
On paper, Cabrera and Berti seem like slight offensive upgrades over Rizzo — and Rice has shown a proclivity for the long ball. However, Rizzo had started to turn it on offensively, ripping 10 hits in 26 at-bats before the injury.
Rizzo may be able to return for the ALCS, assuming the Yankees make it that far. Until then the team will have to rely on their stopgaps.
Cabrera stepped in for the first game of the ALDS. He made an impact, smashing a double that would’ve scored a run had anyone other than Giancarlo Stanton been running. Also, Cabrera cleanly fielded the last out of the game.
Hopefully, Rizzo’s master class on being an All-Star first baseman continues paying off for the Yankees. But look for teams to test them late in close games by bunting and pushing their leads off first base.
