Anthony Rizzo paid tribute to Theo Epstein and the men who drafted him 10 years ago

The world was a different place 10 years ago, and it was certainly a different time for Anthony Rizzo, too. It was back in June 2007 when the future All-Star was drafted in the sixth round of the MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, whose front office then included GM Theo Epstein, assistant GM Jed Hoyer, and scouting director Jason McLeod.
The Red Sox won the World Series that year, but it took them another decade before they were all once again part of a championship organization. Although it was a long road, Rizzo did not forget his origins, and after the Cubs received their 2016 World Series rings on Wednesday night, he paid tribute to the people who gave him his first chance in the game.

10 years later... pic.twitter.com/I3TqvQHt8p

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) April 13, 2017

It's not dificult to figure out why Rizzo wanted a picture with them while showing off their World Series rings. When Hoyer and McLeod left the Red Sox for the Padres in December 2009, they wanted Rizzo to be a part of their future, so they acquired him a year later. When the duo reunited with Epstein in Chicago during the 2011-12 offseason, they again went out of their way to trade for Rizzo, even after a shaky rookie campaign in San Diego.
Seeing that kind of bond between front office and player can be rare, but it's quite evident between Rizzo and the Cubs' leadership team. They were there when he entered baseball, they were there when he beat cancer, and they were there when the Cubs were a last-place team.
Now?

It's good to be Anthony Rizzo.