Anthony Rizzo wants to play less baseball, even if it means taking a pay cut.
During his weekly appearance on ESPN 1000, the Chicago Cubs first baseman voiced his opinion about wanting the baseball season to be shorter.
“We play too much baseball. Yes, guys are going to take pay cuts. But are we playing this game for the money or do we love this game? I know it’s both, but in the long run it will make everything better,” Rizzo said.
Of course, the 28-year-old understands not everyone would be on board with taking a pay cut.
“Once you start taking money from guys, that’s where it’s going to be a little more dicey.”
The Cubs were forced to postpone back-to-back games due to weather in Chicago, and are taking on the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, where the temperature is set to be in the 30’s.
Rizzo was activated from the 10-day disabled list before Tuesday’s game. The first baseman was suffering from back tightness, and the cold weather won’t be ideal for him to play in.
“I think playing in the cold sucks,” Rizzo said. “I was thinking about this the other day. When you think of Cubs and Cardinals, you think of a beautiful Saturday at Wrigley Field. You don’t think about playing in 20 degrees.”
Baseball is a long, 162 game season and this year’s weather hasn’t been ideal for many teams with snowstorms, cold temperatures and freezing rain sweeping through the country. Rizzo doesn’t see a reason why the season starts in April.
“In a perfect world, we’d start the season later and play a few scheduled doubleheaders going into an off day,” he said. “As a fan, you’re going to a baseball game in April, and it’s raining, snowing and (with) freezing rain. Is it really that much fun? That’s my question.”
Rizzo admitted to this being a “freak April,” with the weather being so unpredictable and doesn’t foresee any changes to the season happening.
