Lympho Cubs

Anthony Rizzo had a good night last night for the Chicago Cubs, his first game since getting called up from AAA. He went 2 for 4 with an RBI double, and the Cubs won. He played first base, and he's considered their best prospect in years.

And he's a lymphoma survivor.

Rizzo was drafted by the Red Sox and played in their farm system until 2010, when he was traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal. He played a little bit for San Diego last year, though he struggled a lot and spent some time in the minors. He was traded to the Cubs over the winter and finally earned the call-up this week.

It was in 2008, soon after he started playing for the Sox, that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was just 18 years old. Last year, he participated in the Tuscon Lymphomathon, and helps raise money for lymphoma research. Which is very cool. Not everyone in his situation is so willing to be public.

By all accounts, he's a great guy, a hard worker, and very determined. And it's nice that he's willing to share his experiences, though even if he wasn't, he would have had someone to talk to: Cubs outfielder Tony Campana, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was 10 years old.

Two comments about all of this:

First, it's awesome to have role models like this. Not just for kids with cancer, who see two guys who overcame a lot. But for all cancer patients. Heck, for everyone.

Second, what's the deal with Theo Epstein and lymphoma? Maybe it was his experience with Jon Lester and his pal Larry Lucchino when he was with the Sox, and he knows the power of the survivor. And now, with the Cubs, Theo trades for Rizzo.

Good luck, Rizzo. A few good months and you may be elevated to Nodes of Gold....