Anthony Rizzo Picked the Best Way to Celebrate His Retirement

Hey, hey, Anthony Rizzo is back with the Chicago Cubs! He's officially retiring from MLB, but at this point I have more confidence in him getting on base than Carlos Santana. Rizzo surprised everyone on Wednesday, when news broke that he's signing a one-day contract with the Cubs as the 2016 World Series champion will officially retire on Saturday, when the Cubs host the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo, who was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox, played for the San Diego Padres in 2011, and was then traded to the New York Yankees in 2021, played in 1,308 games with the Cubs between 2012-2021. The 35-year-old ends his 14-year MLB career with a World Series title, four Gold Glove awards, three All-Star Game nominations and a Silver Slugger award. Rizzo was also the 2017 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.

Rizzo will now be a team ambassador for the Cubs.

In 2024, Rizzo played in 92 games with the Yankees during the regular season and then appeared in 10 games during the postseason. After the season the Yankees declined Rizzo's $17 million option for the 2025 season, making the veteran first baseman a free agent. Rizzo went unsigned and when discussing his decision to not take a low salary the Cubs' legend said the following back in February.

Via The Athletic.

Rizzo wants to play. He’s healthy enough to play. Yet he knows the end of his career might be near.

“I’ve definitely thought about it. I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” the three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner at first base said Friday in a telephone interview.

“But at the same time, if teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I’ve seen it the last 10 years of my career. It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. You’ve seen it happen more and more. I’m not naive to it. It could be it.”

So, after more than 1,700 games in the show Rizzo wraps up his career with 303 home runs, 965 RBI and an .828 OPS. How is he celebrating his retirement back at Wrigley Field?

The best way possible. In the bleachers.

Rizzo made his debut with the Cubs on June 26, 2012, against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. He hit his first home run with the Cubs against the Houston Astros on June 30, 2012, in a 3-2 Cubs win.

An absolute legend and the iconic figure of the Cubs during the 2010s. Great to have him back in the Cubs' family.