Anthony Rizzo is returning to the Cubs, but in a new way.
The 2016 World Series star will officially retire in Chicago before joining the Cubs as an ambassador, with a return to Wrigley Field set to take place on Saturday.
The team announced the news Wednesday, saying Rizzo will announce his retirement Saturday as the team takes on the Tampa Bay Rays in an event that will feature numerous celebrations of Rizzo’s career as a Cubbie, with special on-field tributes and more.
“Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “His play on the field spoke for itself and was recognized with multiple All-Star appearances, Gold Glove Awards, the Roberto Clemente Award and, ultimately, being a team leader on the 2016 World Series championship team. Who could forget Anthony catching Kris Bryant’s throw from third base for the final out that clinched the series?”
The 36-year-old infielder will end his 14-year major league career with 1,644 hits, 303 home runs and 965 RBIs in 1,727 games played.
He was traded to the Yankees in 2021 and played his last game there in 2024.
During his 10 years with the Cubs, which included 39 postseason games, Rizzo hit 242 home runs and 784 RBI.
In addition to winning the 2016 World Series with the Cubs, Rizzo is a four-time Gold Glove-award winner and three-time All-Star, having also won a Silver Slugger and Platinum Glove award in his career.
But he wasn’t only known for his on-field successes. Rizzo, a cancer survivor who beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was named the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award recipient for his efforts to help other families cope with the disease through his work with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which serves children with cancer.
“In addition, he was an inspiration to so many off the field through his foundation and his work with cancer research. Anthony’s professional career on the field might be complete, but it will be great to share this next chapter with him here with the Cubs,” Ricketts said. “On behalf of the Cubs organization, we all congratulate Anthony for a memorable and successful playing career. We know the best is yet to come for him, his wife, Emily, and their family. We look forward to their rejoining our Cubs family as we create new memories for fans.”
Rizzo joins a list of other notable Cubs ambassadors, including Andre Dawson, Ryan Dempster, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist. Late legends Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo were also previous ambassadors for the team.
