{"id":142016,"date":"2025-09-13T22:44:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T22:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/142016\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T22:44:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T22:44:10","slug":"anthony-rizzo-retires-with-cubs-nearly-catches-hr-in-wrigley-bleachers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/142016\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthony Rizzo Retires With Cubs, Nearly Catches HR in Wrigley Bleachers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anthony Rizzo<\/a> celebrated his retirement in the famed bleachers in Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n

It was quite a day.<\/p>\n

Rizzo joined the Chicago Cubs<\/a> as a team ambassador on Saturday. The big first baseman threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Cubs outfielder Ian Happ<\/a>, one of his former teammates, before grabbing a seat in the bleachers in left for the team’s afternoon game against Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

Rizzo, 36, nearly hauled in Moises Ballesteros<\/a>‘ first career homer for Chicago in the second inning, but it went off his hands. A fan next to Rizzo retrieved the ball.<\/p>\n

Rizzo, a 14-year major league veteran, said he planned to eat a hot dog, drink adult beverages and possibly throw a baseball to Happ in left field.<\/p>\n

“I have one day to really live it up,” Rizzo said.<\/p>\n

Rizzo made his major league debut with San Diego in 2011, but he rose to stardom after he was traded to Chicago in January 2012.<\/p>\n

The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner hit .272 with 242 homers and 784 RBIs in 10 years with the Cubs. He helped the team win the World Series<\/a> in 2016 for the franchise’s first title since 1908.<\/p>\n

Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees<\/a> as part of a sell-off at the 2021 deadline.<\/p>\n

Rizzo and his family were visiting Chicago for the musical festival Lollapalooza this summer when Cubs owner Tom Ricketts invited them to dinner, where they discussed the ambassador role.<\/p>\n

“Getting traded was just such a whirlwind, heartbreaking, so many emotions and getting to play for the Yankees was so special for me,” Rizzo said. “I grew up a Yankees fan.<\/p>\n

“To be invited back here where I really created my legacy is very special to me and very humbling.”<\/p>\n

During Saturday\u2019s festivities, Rizzo, a Hodgkin lymphoma survivor and 2017 Roberto Clemente Award winner for community service, wore a Cubs jersey signed by cancer patients visited by the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. The foundation has raised funds for cancer research and support for patients\u2019 families.<\/p>\n

“Going through the airport pretty much every time, a family comes up to us and says, \u2018You helped us here, you helped our friend here,\u2019” Rizzo said. “That\u2019s such a rewarding feeling.”<\/p>\n

After breaking his right arm last year, Rizzo said he prepared his family for the possibility of his career ending. Rizzo became a free agent when the Yankees declined his $17 million option in November.<\/p>\n

“It was kind of decided early on if I didn\u2019t get the right opportunity it was probably going to be it,” he said. “And I couldn\u2019t be happier.”<\/p>\n

Reporting by The Associated Press.<\/p>\n

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