Anthony Rizzo to retire as member of Cubs, join organization as team ambassador |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs announced that former infielder Anthony Rizzo will officially announce his retirement as a member of the Chicago Cubs and join the organization as team ambassador. Rizzo will make it official when the Cubs welcome him back to Wrigley Field on Saturday, September 13 as the Cubs take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:20 p.m. CT, where his career as a Cubbie will be celebrated with special on-field events.
"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,” said Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts. “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? 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. 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, 36, completes his 14-year (2011-2024) major league career with 1,644 hits, 303 home runs and 965 RBI in 1,727 games played. In 10 years with the Cubs, he hit .272 (1,311-for-4,812) with 242 home runs and 784 RBI. He became a fan favorite thanks to his power hitting bat, elite defense at first base and consistent production. With the Cubs, he was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, a one-time Platinum Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger award winner. In 59 postseason games—39 with the Cubs—he hit .225 (47-209) with nine home runs and 27 RBI. He spent his rookie season (2011) with the San Diego Padres before joining the Cubs, where he played for 10 years. He was traded to the Yankees in 2021 and played his last game there in 2024. He was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. His off-the-field work has been highlighted by work done through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation serving children with cancer. A cancer survivor himself, having beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Rizzo was named recipient of the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, the highest community service honor awarded by the league, for his efforts to help other families cope with the disease. His foundation has raised millions of dollars for cancer research and has helped families battling the disease in Chicago and Florida since 2012. Rizzo joins other Cubs ambassadors including Andre Dawson, Ryan Dempster, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist. In memoriam ambassadors include Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo. Media information for Rizzo’s return to Wrigley Field on Saturday, September 13th will be announced soon.
