A career is often defined by a final act, and for Anthony Rizzo, that act was a homecoming. After 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, Rizzo signed a one-day contract earlier this week to officially retire with the Chicago Cubs, a decision that cemented his legacy with a city that had waited generations for a hero like him. Before Saturday’s game Rizzo was honored and it was officially announced by the PA announcer at Wrigley Field that he would be joining the team as an ambassador. This is a powerful statement about where his heart and purpose truly lie. It signifies that while his playing days are over, his story with the Cubs — a narrative defined by resilience, leadership, and community service — will continue for years to come and he will be one of the leaders in the room motivating younger Cubs.
Rizzo’s journey to becoming a Chicago legend began in the minor league system of the Boston Red Sox. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB draft, he quickly proved his potential. But his path was suddenly rerouted by a life-altering diagnosis. At just 18 years old, his dream of playing in the big leagues was put on hold when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This personal battle, which he faced with six months of grueling chemotherapy, was a test that helped forge his character. The experience was not his alone; he quickly learned his struggle was equally difficult for his family, and that the fight against cancer is one that the entire family battles together.
This profound realization became the foundational element of his life’s mission, planting the seed for the philanthropic work that would one day become a cornerstone of his legacy. His journey was aided by a crucial connection with veteran pitcher Jon Lester, a fellow lymphoma survivor who provided hope and guidance. Lester’s advice to stay positive became a personal motto, of sorts, for Rizzo later passing the message on to countless children facing similar circumstances.
After overcoming his personal battle, Rizzo’s professional career truly began. He was brought to Chicago in a pivotal 2012 trade, a high-stakes gamble that paid off massively. As a cornerstone of the Cubs’ long-term rebuilding plan, Rizzo quickly evolved from a raw prospect into a perennial All-Star and the undisputed leader of a franchise desperate for a new identity. His quiet excellence at first base was matched by his powerful presence at the plate, earning him three consecutive All-Star selections, four Gold Glove Awards, and a Silver Slugger Award.
He consistently anchored the lineup, hitting .272 of his 242 home runs for the Cubs, a mark that ranks sixth in franchise history. His statement, We’re going to win the NL Central — quote me on that, in 2015, reflected a new, winning culture that he and his teammates had worked to create. He was, as Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts would later say, the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history.
The biggest highlight of his career came in the 2016 World Series. For a city that had waited 108 years, the championship was more than just a win; it was the win that broke a curse which lasted over a century , a moment of destiny that required a hero who understood adversity. Rizzo was that hero. He was a force in the seven-game series against Cleveland, batting an impressive .360 with a clutch home run in Game 6 and a key RBI single in Game 7 to help the Cubs overcome a 3-1 series deficit. The final out of Game 7, when he secured Kris Bryant’s throw for the championship, became an image that will live forever in baseball history. The play was a manifestation of his journey: the man who had overcome a life-or-death battle was the one who was the final line of defense, the one who physically secured the victory that had eluded a franchise for more than a century.
Yet, for all his on-field heroics, Rizzo’s most profound legacy is found off the field. The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, founded in 2012, is a direct result of his personal battle with cancer and his family’s experience. The organization’s mission is to provide financial and emotional support to children and their families battling cancer. Rizzo’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: he believes that a patient doesn’t battle cancer alone; the entire family battles it together.
This belief is the foundation of his work, which has earned him the prestigious 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, baseball’s highest community service honor. His philanthropic efforts are about providing tangible, hands-on support to families in their most difficult moments. The foundation’s Hope 44 Fund assists with everyday financial burdens, allowing families to focus on being together and caring for their child without the added stress of financial toxicity.
Here’s the thing, folks: The real impact of this work is best told through the stories of the families he has touched. The story of Anthony Bendy is a powerful example. A fellow Hodgkin’s lymphoma patient, Bendy was devastated by his diagnosis as a teenager. His mother reached out to the foundation, hoping a simple card might lift her son’s spirits. Instead, she received a personal photo of Rizzo holding a poster which said, Stay Strong Anthony. This gesture that made her son smile for the first time in weeks and gave him the strength to face his first round of chemotherapy.
Then there is the Erickson family, who received a surprise hospital visit and a handwritten note with financial assistance, called Rizzo a hero who disproved the myth of never meet your hero.
And last but not least there is the Burke family, whose son was a baseball card collector, not only received financial aid but also had the unforgettable experience of meeting their real-life hero during a painful hospital stay.
Rizzo’s personal visits to places like Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to cheer up pediatric cancer patients are a testament to his belief that even a five-minute smile is a win.
With that… The legacy of Anthony Rizzo is not just about his 303 home runs, his clutch hits, or the iconic final out of the 2016 World Series. His career is a testament to the idea that a sports hero can be defined by something far more meaningful than statistics. As he himself has said, the ability to give back is so much bigger than winning the World Series because it is as real as it gets in life.”
His journey — from a teenage cancer survivor, to the on-field leader of a championship team, to a philanthropic icon — shows how a personal struggle can be transformed into a platform for profound purpose. Anthony Rizzo’s legacy is defined by a heart of hustle and humanity.
If you cannot work with them, then root for them even after they retired!