Schwarbs pays tribute to Lester in montage
CHICAGO -- The Cubs' players gathered out in left field during Tuesday's workout at Wrigley Field and turned their attention to the left-field videoboard. That is when Kyle Schwarber's tribute montage for veteran Jon Lester began to play.
"You took me under your wing and taught me how to play 110 percent every play," said Schwarber in a voice-over, as Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" played through the ballpark's sound system.
Shop for postseason gear: What followed were a series of clips of misplays by Schwarber in left field. He missed a catch and had to chase down a ball. He botched another grab and then he threw wildly to second base. Each one was followed by footage of Lester yelling or glaring out on the mound.
Asked about the video on Friday, Schwarber chuckled.
"That was an Anthony Rizzo idea, which I loved," Schwarber said of the video. "It was just kind of a funny thing, just for Jon and myself. I'm glad that I'm able to make fun of myself and be able to do that, because Jon's meant a lot to me since I came up in '15."
Schwarber has noted that it was Lester who bought the outfielder his first suit when he came to the big leagues five years ago. The Cubs left fielder said Friday that he gives Lester a lot of credit for teaching him how to act on and off the field, how to give back to the community and how to be a family man.
"Those are things that I always look up to Jon," Schwarber said.
At the end of the video, Schwarber said he knew that "continuous hard work" would lead to him becoming Lester's trusted left fielder. And following Schwarber capping off the clip with, "I love you, Jon," their teammates clapped and the veteran pitcher gave his left fielder a hug.
"It's no secret I've made a couple whoopsies out there when Jon's pitched," Schwarber said Friday. "It was just a little funny moment to just go out there and just show, 'You know what? I want to show my appreciation towards you and hopefully get a little laugh out of it.'"
Ross glad MLB was 'cautious' with postponement
Cubs manager David Ross was asked Friday for his thoughts on MLB postponing Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday, given that there was only a brief period of light rain after the game was moved to Friday.
Ross pointed to Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series between the Yankees and Indians, who dealt with a one-hour, 16-minute weather delay before their four-hour, 50-minute game.
"The weather's the weather," Ross said. "I listen to my bosses and Major League Baseball when it comes to that stuff. I definitely was glad that they were erring on the side of caution with what happened the other night with the Yankee game, and then knowing how important [Cubs Game 2 starter] Yu Darvish is."
Quotable
"Maybe I just look at it differently than everybody else. But the nerves and excitement are what we come to work for, what we play for -- the expectations and coming in every day like it is an elimination day. We've got to win today. That's exciting. That's like, 'Let's get it, boys. Let's go.' We've worked all year to be in this situation, to be a part of the postseason." -- Ross, on facing elimination