MESA, Ariz. -- During the Cubs' visit to the White House in January, Anthony Rizzo spotted a small sign on former President Barack Obama's desk in the Oval Office that said, "Hard things are hard." The message resonated with Rizzo, and is something the Cubs need to remember as they begin defense of their World Series championship.
"There's no shortcuts," Rizzo said on Thursday. "That [message] really stuck with me. I just did a workout with [strength coach Tim Buss] and he kicked our [butts]. It's not fun, but it's necessary. We have to have fun and push ourselves to the limits.