On this episode of Dirt From the Dugout, Karl Ravech and Justin Musil wrap up their conversation with World Series champion Anthony Rizzo, digging into the origins of the Lovable Reunion podcast he launched with David Ross for the 10th anniversary of the Cubs’ 2016 championship, and the fan stories that still give him goosebumps a decade later. Rizzo breaks down what made manager Joe Maddon so effective at building genuine relationships with players, from asking about Rizzo’s wine order to giving Javier Báez the freedom just to be himself, and names the toughest pitchers he ever faced, including Marco Estrada and a healthy Stephen Strasburg.

He argues that elite changeups are an underrated skill young pitchers should prioritize over flashy breaking balls, and he shares the simplest piece of teammate advice he gives anyone entering a new clubhouse: say hello to everyone. Plus, a rapid-fire kitchen sink round covering the ball from the final out of the 2016 World Series, a behind-the-scenes Bill Murray moment on Saturday Night Live, running the Chicago Marathon, and who he’d take with the first pick in a draft of current players.

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