Friday, September 19, 2014

Anthony Rizzo Wins 2014 Branch Rickey Award

Former Red Sox farmhand Anthony Rizzo is the winner of the 2014 Branch Rickey Award for his work with pediatric cancer patients. After being drafted by the Red Sox at age 17, Rizzo was diagnosed with with Hodgkin's lymphoma in his first minor league season. After a long period of treatment, the cancer went into remission. Rizzo was initially traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal and was later re-united with former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein on the North Side of Chicago. Since his illness, Rizzo has consistently visited pediatric cancer patients at both Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Congratulations, Anthony!