Do Simple Better (Anthony Rizzo)

Chapter 56: Sometimes Down, Never Out

-Anthony's POV-

Last nights loss didn't sit too well with us. We played good but they played better, as simple as that. This team was no joke, but I nothing is impossible. Tonight's game was a little different. I finally got a hit but it was one of two hits so far. If it wasn't for grandpa and Javy with the good hands we would be out of this game. But the score doesn't reflect what this team means. What we can do. During the top of the ninth and Kris and I have a little talk. "When you get up there, try your hardest to get on base. I don't care how just get to first. I'm gonna do the same and try to get you in scoring position. We got the heart of the order coming up but will only get somewhere if you do. Got it" I ask and he nods. As he heads to the plate I move over to the batters circle. "Hey, go get 'em kid" Vanessa says from the other side of Joe. I send her a quick wink and approach the circle. After a few pitches Kris sends a base hit up the middle and they switch pitchers to face me. After a long at bat I draw a walk bringing up zobrist who decides to hit from the right against a lefty. He swings at the first two pitches and makes no contact. The third pitch comes and he sends it down the right field line. Kris trots home as I move into second with Ben behind me. Only down two now with two on we were apparently sending Coghlan to pinch hit. Seeing that Joe was throwing him out they send out another left hander and I see Vanessa grow a smirk. She yells into the dugout and Willson comes out and Chris goes beck into the dugout. They wanted them to change pitches... her and Joe were freaky good. Now Willson is a different type of player. He lives for moments like these and with two on and no outs he was in yet another spot to make a difference. One swing of the bat sends the ball through the hole and both Ben and I score easily. Jogging back to the dugout we get everyone fired up as Willson stands at first banging his chest. The game was now tied and the baseball gods were on our side. After Jason's failed bunt attempt somehow ends him up on second with one out the most outstanding player of the series steps up. Javy had nothing else to prove, he's incredible, we got that. Won't even let a piece of gum past him. The count was soon full but no one was worried. A shattered bat base hit brings home Jason and this once electric crowd was stunned. A historically great team losing to a historically terrible team in a historical fashion. Four freaking runs in the ninth, it's unheard of. Only in a Cubs game. The one run lead was all we needed because Chapman wasn't about to make another mistake. He fanned all three batters he faced and we were going to the post season.

Vanessa bolted onto the field and quickly found herself in my arms. "I'm so proud of you guys" she screams over everyone. "Couldn't have done it without you" Jason says giving her a smile. We grab our shirts and caps and take a picture on the mound. After interviews we all run to the locker room to start the celebrations. For hours the boys and their families yell incoherent cuss words and spray each other. We know that what we just did was something special. We also knew this moment was special and that we can't forget it. I take a second to look around, these people have become a family. We were all so different but bound together by one common goal. The boys were running around smiles painted across their face. All the moments that lead up to this makes it that much sweeter. "Whatcha thinking about" Vanessa asks from beside me. "How special this team is. It's kinda unreal" I laugh. "Not really. Look at them individually. Willsons passion, Lesters perfection, Kris' heart, each guy is amazing all by themselves. Now put it together, you get something that no one has seen before or will ever see again. You guys are unbelievable, that's for sure. But I expect nothing less than spectacular" she says looking around. "I love you so much" I say going in for a kiss. As I close my eyes I feel the burning liquid go down my body and open my eyes to see Vanessa with a bottle over my head spilling its contents. "It's so on" I scream as she runs away laughing, trying to hide behind people while finding another bottle. She hides behind David who is doing his best to protect her. He looked like a bouncer. We spend the night messing around and having the time of our lives, but as soon as we get home we know it's time to grind.

Magic number: 8