CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Walking into the ballpark he called home for 10 years brought back a flood of memories for Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Friday morning.
For the first time since the Cubs traded him to the Yankees in July 2021, Rizzo returned to Wrigley Field. The home team’s clubhouse staff had his favorite drinks and snacks on hand as the Cubs welcomed back one of their franchise icons as the Yankees came to town for a three-game series.
“I looked at the flags and saw the wind was blowing in,” Rizzo said pregame. “I am just very excited. It's cool to see the ivy on the walls is nice and green. I'm just very excited about this weekend.”
Rizzo played for the Cubs from 2012-’21, a tenure that was highlighted by the club’s long-awaited World Series championship in 2016. Part of Rizzo’s legacy is that he secured the putout for the final out as the Cubs broke their 108-year championship drought with a win in Game 7 of the World Series in Cleveland.
One series earlier, Rizzo did the same to end the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. That’s his favorite memory at Wrigley Field.
“Catching that last out to send us to the World Series was that moment,” Rizzo said. "Doing that at home with Clayton Kershaw pitching against us was so great. We were down in that series 2-1 to start the NLCS. To be able to clinch here at home after so long, the fans were just so happy we were going to a World Series. That was so exciting, but in the clubhouse, we knew we had one more important job to do.”
Beyond his on-field excellence – he was a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner with Chicago, for whom he hit 242 homers – Rizzo also was the heart and soul of a team that achieved great heights after a rebuild. In addition to the World Series title, the Cubs made the playoffs four other years in Rizzo’s tenure in Chicago.
The Cubs honored Rizzo with a pregame video tribute Friday, which he watched from the Yankees’ dugout. Hitting seventh in the order, he then got a huge standing ovation before leading off the top of the second inning by grounding out to shortstop.
“I am sure I will be emotional,” Rizzo said pregame. "I know how great the fans are here, and I am proud to be a part of changing the franchise from loveable losers to expected winners. That brings the best out of you.”
Rizzo just returned to action this past Sunday after recovering from an arm injury. He’s hitting .224 with eight homers, 31 RBIs and a .629 OPS in 74 games this season.
“I am just happy to be healthy this time of the year,” Rizzo said. “Just when baseball gets fun with the playoff races, but being here at Wrigley was a date my family and I circled many months ago. Being healthy now is the most important thing.”
On Friday, the 35-year-old Rizzo was asked if he might return to the Cubs as a free agent if the right situation arises. He’ll probably hit free agency after this season, as the Yankees are likely to decline a $17-million team option on his contract for 2025.
“Emily and I love it here in Chicago,” Rizzo said. “We have made a lot of friendships here. We can see ourselves maybe living here again. As far as playing, I hope to retire as a Yankee. I love playing for the Yankees and the guys I get to play alongside each day. That said, who knows what the future will bring? I never thought I would be a Yankee. I will take it day by day.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.