The ball from Tuesday's game, which was thrown by Reds rookie Josh Smith in the first inning, was authenticated. It will join the others that Rizzo has back at Wrigley Field. He's saved all of the baseballs since he tied the Cubs record when he was hit the 17th time. That mark was shared by Frank Chance (1905) and Marlon Byrd (2010).
It wasn't Rizzo's idea to keep the souvenirs, but it was suggested by clubhouse manager Tom "Otis" Hellmann.
"Otis started saving them," Rizzo said. "It started when I tied the Cubs' record, and then [I got the ball] every time after that.