CHICAGO -- The last time the Cubs played in Boston was in 2014. Anthony Rizzo drove past Massachusetts General Hospital at the time and got a knot in his stomach, because that's where he began his treatment for cancer. He was diagnosed in 2008 while a Minor Leaguer in the Red Sox's organization.
On Friday, Rizzo will be back in Boston, and he is expecting some flashbacks, but he is focusing on rekindling some friendships from his brief time there.
The Red Sox's sixth-round pick in the 2007 Draft, Rizzo was playing for Class A Greenville in April 2008 when his legs became swollen. He was diagnosed with limited stage classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.
During his treatment, the Red Sox introduced the young infielder to pitcher Jonathan Lester, who also had Hodgkin's lymphoma -- and beat it. The two are now teammates on the Cubs, and Rizzo credits Lester's pep talk with helping him deal with cancer and motivating him to begin his foundation.
"I'm forever thankful," Rizzo said of the Boston organization. "The Red Sox paid for my whole treatment, and they didn't have to do that. The way they treated players on the field and off the field was first class, just like it is here [with the Cubs]."
Rizzo prefers to say "we beat cancer," including his family in the battle. The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was formed to raise money for cancer research and to provide support to children and their families battling the disease. Rizzo is a regular visitor to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. His fundraising efforts include a Walk-Off for Cancer in his hometown of Parkland, Fla., plus two charity events in Chicago, including a Cook-Off for Cancer, which will be held May 18.
The cancer scare was long ago, but being in Boston brings back memories.
"I'm sure when I get there, I'll think of it," Rizzo said in Pittsburgh, where the Cubs wrapped up a three-game series on Wednesday with a loss. "That's where I started my diagnosis and treatment."
Rizzo is eager to see Fenway Park again. The Red Sox let their Draft picks hit at the historic stadium, but that was his only time there until the Cubs' 2014 Interleague series.
This will also be the second look at Fenway for Kristopher Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, who have yet to face the Red Sox in a regular-season game. Both got a peek at the historic ballpark while playing in the Cape Cod League.
"It's huge," Bryant said of the Green Monster in left field. "I watch the games all the time, but once you get in the park, it's right on top of you. It feels you have to hit it really high. It's definitely a little intimidating."
"It's a historic ballpark," Schwarber said of Fenway. "It's just like Wrigley, where it has that nostalgic look to it. You know a lot of games have been played there. It's going to be fun to go there. I can't wait to go up and sit on top of the Green Monster and take a peek and see how it's going to look."
The Cubs have won six of their past eight games heading into the series. Rizzo is on a roll, with four home runs and 12 RBIs in his past six games. He's looking forward to the weekend.
"Whenever you go on that field, it's different, it's a different buzz," Rizzo said. "I'm looking forward to seeing if that buzz is the same as I remembered it, or if I can slow the game down and control it. When you're younger, it's Fenway Park."