Anthony Rizzo Retires After 14 Seasons, Will Be Honored at Wrigley Field

Photo:  Elsa/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL — After 14 memorable seasons in Major League Baseball, Anthony Rizzo is hanging up his cleats. ESPN broke the news Wednesday morning, with the Cubs confirming that Rizzo will retire as a Chicago Cub and will be honored in a special ceremony this Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo, 35, became the face of the Cubs during one of the franchise’s most important eras. Acquired in a 2012 trade from the San Diego Padres, the first baseman quickly established himself as a cornerstone in Chicago, earning three All-Star selections, four Gold Glove Awards, and a Silver Slugger.

But more than numbers, Rizzo’s presence in the clubhouse set the tone for a Cubs team that climbed from rebuilding to the top of the baseball world.

The defining moment of Rizzo’s career came in 2016 when he helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years. His leadership, timely hitting, and steady glove at first base made him a cornerstone of manager Joe Maddon’s historic squad.

In the clinching Game 7 against Cleveland, it was Rizzo who caught Kris Bryant’s throw across the diamond for the final out—cementing his place in Cubs lore forever. That single image remains one of the most iconic in franchise history.

Rizzo’s impact wasn’t limited to baseball. A cancer survivor himself, he became one of MLB’s most visible advocates for pediatric cancer research through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. His charitable work in Chicago and beyond has touched countless lives, ensuring his legacy reaches far past the foul lines of Wrigley Field.

Though Rizzo spent his final three and a half seasons with the New York Yankees, the Cubs’ announcement ensures that he retires in the uniform that defined his career. Saturday’s ceremony at Wrigley is expected to draw thousands of fans eager to salute one of the most beloved players in team history.

Anthony Rizzo retires as more than just a champion—he leaves the game as the heart of a franchise, the final out of a curse-breaking World Series, and a player whose leadership will be remembered for generations.

This weekend, Chicago won’t just celebrate a first baseman. It will celebrate the face of an era.