Cubs Anthony Rizzo becomes youngest ever to win Branch Rickey Award

Anthony Rizzo has been a major league baseball player for all of a couple of years.  The Chicago Cubs are in the process of putting together a pretty strong youth movement, and you could say that Rizzo is the banner carrier. Today, he added to his accolades on the field, with one to be proud of off the field. Rizzo became the youngest player in baseball history to be named the Branch Rickey Award winner.

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Since 1992 Major League Baseball has been awarding a single player with the Branch Rickey Award. At just 25 years of age, Anthony Rizzo becomes the youngest recipient of the title.

The Branch Rickey Award is handed out to the player that is recognized by Major League Baseball as providing an exceptional level of community service. Each of the 30 teams nominates a player, and a panel of 400 members cast votes for the winner. Rizzo was recognized for participating in multiple events, including two “Cook Off Cancer” events held in Chicago, in which he helped raise over $500,000.

Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers took home the award last season.

While it may be easy to dismiss an award that doesn’t coincide with on the field accolades, it may be best to take a look around the sporting world. In a time where so many professional athletes appear to be lost as human beings, and in their responsibilities as public figures, Anthony Rizzo is a light in the darkness.

Here’s to you Anthony Rizzo, while the Cubs aren’t yet near relevance, the corner is turning and you are leading the charge.

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