The announcement of Anthony Rizzo’s retirement is not just a simple summation of a 14-season career but a more complex and poignant narrative, a tale of two cities. While his final MLB appearance was with the New York Yankees on the final day of the 2024 season, his retirement is being celebrated with a profound homecoming in Chicago. This moment crystallizes a unique career where his greatest contribution was his enduring role as a veteran presence and clubhouse pillar. It is a testament to the idea that a player’s most significant impact can be found not just in the box score, but in the heart of a team and a city.
When Anthony Rizzo arrived in Chicago in 2012, he was a key part of a massive rebuilding project, a young player with immense potential. This was the second time Cubs executive Jed Hoyer had traded for him after leaving Boston, demonstrating an unwavering belief in his character and potential. This trust allowed Rizzo to blossom into the emotional anchor of a young team on the verge of greatness. His leadership style was rooted in a simple, personal philosophy: Being a good teammate and picking them up on and off the field is a simple goal of mine, he once stated.
This brand of leadership was built on humility and emotional honesty, famously demonstrated during the 2016 World Series. Overwhelmed by the pressure, an emotional Rizzo confessed to veteran catcher David “Grandpa” Ross, I’m an emotional wreck. Ross’s sage advice helped calm him, but the moment itself revealed a deeper reality: Rizzo’s strength as a leader was his willingness to show vulnerability. By admitting his anxiety, he became more relatable and approachable, demonstrating that it was acceptable to feel the weight of the moment.
Rizzo’s on-field performance matched his reputation. He was a three-time All-Star from 2014 to 2016, a four-time Gold Glove winner, and a Platinum Glove recipient in 2016. That same year, he won the Silver Slugger Award with a career-high 32 home runs and 109 RBIs. His most iconic moment came in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, when he caught the final out to end the Cubs’ 108-year championship drought and cemented his place in franchise lore. Over his 14-season career, Rizzo amassed 1,644 hits, 303 home runs, and 965 RBIs, with a.261 batting average. With the Cubs alone, he hit 242 home runs, placing him sixth in franchise history.
In 2021, Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees. No longer the young centerpiece of a rebuild, he became a veteran addition to a team with a singular mission: winning a championship. Though his final years were marked by a decline in production and injuries, the value he brought to the clubhouse was magnified. This was most evident during the 2024 postseason. Despite suffering two fractured fingers, Rizzo was determined to return, and his belief was proven correct when he delivered a remarkable performance in the American League Championship Series.
Playing through the pain, he went 6-for-14 with a double and two walks. Catcher Austin Wells called his toughness a pretty incredible thing. Beyond his courage, Rizzo’s real value to the Yankees was his perspective. As a champion who had experienced the highs and lows of the postseason, he provided crucial mentorship. After a tough loss in the ALCS, he shared a personal story from Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to remind his younger teammates that a single big hit was not the end of their run. This ability to share his lived experience proves that a veteran’s value can extend far beyond their on-field statistics, and that character, not just a bat, can win a team a title.
This Saturday, Anthony Rizzo’s career will come full circle at Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs will celebrate his retirement and formally announce that he will join the organization as a team ambassador. This is a statement about where his legacy truly resides. Though he finished his career with the Yankees, his decision to retire as a Cub underscores the deep connection he forged with the city. Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts called him the face of one of the most successful eras in franchise history. This sentiment is echoed by former teammate Ian Happ, who praised Rizzo not just for his on-field numbers, but for what he did for the city, what he did for the people—giving back and charity work. This legacy transcends traditional metrics. While he is widely considered a player in the Hall of the Very Good, there is a legitimate debate among fans about whether the Cubs should retire his No. 44, a jersey number not issued since his departure in 2021.
Here’s the thing, folks: This paradox highlights how his contributions went beyond statistics, creating a bond with the community. The ambassadorship also honors his philanthropic work. A Hodgkin lymphoma survivor since 2008, he established the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation to support children with cancer. This charitable commitment, which earned him the prestigious 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, was an integral part of his identity. It cemented his reputation as a leader whose impact extended far beyond the game itself.
With that… Anthony Rizzo’s retirement is a powerful reminder that an athlete’s story can be a winding path, but one unified by leadership, resilience, and a profound respect for the game. He was the young leader who sought advice, the veteran who played through pain, and the compassionate individual who never forgot his own journey. His retirement as a Chicago Cub, celebrated after his final seasons as a New York Yankee, is a final, symbolic act built on a deeper foundation than mere statistics. His legacy is cemented not in the Hall of Fame, but in the hearts of Cubs fans, in the respect of his Yankees teammates, and in the lives of the countless families his foundation has touched.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!