It is a sad day across the world for Chicago Cubs fans. After 14 seasons in the major leagues, former Cubs and New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is retiring.
Rizzo will be retiring as a Cub on Saturday and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Also beginning Saturday, Rizzo is set to join Chicago’s organization as an ambassador for the franchise.
Rizzo spent nearly 10 of his 14 seasons with the Cubs, and his tenure there is among some of the best of all time. Rizzo was an All-Star three times, won four Gold Gloves and finished in the top five in MVP voting on two separate occasions. The biggest accomplishment of all, though, was no doubt being the man who caught the final out of the 2016 World Series and breaking the 108-year drought for Chicago.
What’s next for Anthony Rizzo?
As we noted above, Rizzo will be celebrated on Saturday at Wrigley Field before he begins his role as an ambassador. Most Cubs fans would agree that there is no former player more perfect for that role than Rizzo.
Outside of the great Ryne Sandberg, Rizzo embodies what it means to play for such a proud organization more than anyone else has and maybe ever will. He will no doubt succeed in his new role with the organization, and it’s fitting that he immediately went back home to the place that meant so much to his playing career.
