(670 The Score) After 10 exciting years in Chicago that included the Cubs' first championship in 108 years, first baseman Anthony Rizzo said farewell Thursday.
Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees for two prospects, ending his storied run at Clark and Addison. Rizzo exits the organization as an icon who will be remembered not just for his superb play but his love of the city and its people.
"It is definitely a closing of a chapter in life that I didn't think was going to close," Rizzo told 670 The Score. "These have been the best years of my life – getting to know so many great people and all the good memories come to mind. A lot of special things happened."
Joining the organization ahead of the 2012 season, Rizzo hit 242 homers for the Cubs, the sixth-most in franchise history. He's also a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner.
Off the field, he and his family created the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation that has raised millions of dollars for Lurie Children's Hospital and pediatric cancer research.
"We all have had an amazing journey here," Rizzo said of his parents and wife, Emily. "With the foundation, my parents got to meet a lot of incredible people. Then meeting Emily and getting married to her and winning the World Series.
Then she and I built our life here. We have so many friends here away from baseball we met here. So memories that Chicago will always be a second home to me."
As he processed getting traded shortly after the Cubs' loss to the Reds at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Rizzo was still a bit stunned by the day's happenings. He had an inkling he could be traded ahead of the deadline Friday afternoon, and he took it all in from the dugout while sitting out.
Afterward, he and his family took a stroll around the outfield and posed for pictures in front of the ivy, taking it all in one more time.
"This will always be like a second home to me, and going to play for the New York Yankees sounds so strange and really hasn't kicked in yet," Rizzo said. "Emily and I will be sitting at home tomorrow and be reflecting on all the memories and it will always bring a big smile to my face."
Rizzo shared his favorite memories with the Cubs.
"The World Series obviously," he said with a big grin. "Those memories with those guys. But Lurie Children's Hospital, our foundation and all the kids (cancer patients) we have had at Wrigley. All of the fans and the people of Chicago buying a beer and drinking a beer with them. All the memories on the field. The two that stand out are the World Series run and all the good we have done here with the foundation."
Rizzo was disappointed he couldn't play one more time for the Wrigley Field crowd Thursday. Manager David Ross had planned an off day for him in advance.
"Not playing today was tough," Rizzo said. "A lot of people were excited for today just to watch a game that they probably had on the calendar for months. Not being able to play for them was tough. It's all about being a good person and playing the game the right way for all the people."
While sad to leave a Cubs team that's selling as it has fallen out of playoff contention, Rizzo is excited to join the Yankees amid a postseason race. Rizzo, who turns 32 in August, is set to be a free agent at season's end.
"Being able to play for another historic franchise, it's really, you couldn't ask for more," he said. "Obviously I want to be here and told the guys I'd rather sink with the ship. If it's going to burn down, I want to burn down with it. Talking to Jed (Hoyer), we had a good talk, emotional. I love these guys.
I love everyone here from the top to the bottom. They've been nothing but good to me. But to be able to go play for the Yankees now ... they are a really exciting team. I just can't wait to jump in there and go be a baseball player."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
