Breaking: Anthony Rizzo Retries

Earlier this morning, after a 14 year MLB career, Anthony Rizzo has officially announced his retirement from the MLB.

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Pre-Yankees Career (2011-2021)

Teams: San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2007, but when he ultimately made his MLB debut in 2011, it was with the San Diego Padres. Few will remember that he was a key prospect piece in the Adrian Gonzalez trade to the Red Sox during the 2010 Winter Meetings.

However, Anthony Rizzo's Padres tenure did not last long, as the following offseason, he was shipped off to the Chicago Cubs in a trade for Andrew Cashner. This would prove to be one of the best moves the Cubs would make in the early goings of the 21st century.

Anthony Rizzo manned first base for the Cubs for 10 seasons, from 2012 to 2021, during which he hit to a .272/.372/.489 triple-slash with a .861/130 OPS/OPS+ along with 242 home runs, 784 RBI's, and 1311 hits. While in Chicago, Rizzo was also a 3-time All-Star (2014, 2015, 2016), a 4-time gold glover (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020), and received MVP votes in 5 seasons, including two Top-5 finishes (2015, 2016). He was also selected as the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award winner.

However, all of these statistics, accolades, and awards tell only part of the story and importance that Anthony Rizzo held- and still holds- in the memories and hearts of Cubs (and baseball) fans. Forever, Anthony Rizzo will be remembered as a World Series Champion from 2016. He was a pivotal member of the curse-breaking Chicago Cubs World Series team. And, he is the one who caught the final out in the 10th inning of Game 7 to finally bring a championship back to the Cubs after 108 years.

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Yankees Career (2021-2024)

At the 2021 trade deadline, the New York Yankees traded for Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs as they needed a stabilizing force for first base due to Luke Voit's many injuries. In the back of the mind of many Yankees fans was a hope that Anthony Rizzo's experience, leadership, and recent World Series success would also translate to the Bronx.

Unfortunately, Anthony Rizzo was unable to ever bring the Yankees a championship. Even so, he quickly became a fan favorite, even with only being on the team for a short time. And, even while he was struggling in his later seasons (for the faults that I will blame on the Yankees medical staff and not on Rizzo), Yankees fans stood by him and were always hopeful that his performance would return and that he'd continue to be a notable left-handed presence.

Unfortunately, for Anthony Rizzo, his Yankee tenure was also hampered by injuries and it shows in his stats: .234/.326/.409 triple-slash with a .735/105 OPS/OPS+ along with 60 home runs, 172 RBI's, and 315 hits.

After declining performance in 2023 and 2024 (largely due to an undiagnosed concussion, which Rizzo played through for months!), the Yankees and Rizzo parted ways to allow him an avenue to find another interested suitor.

For his playing career, this is where it would end.

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Did He Deserve Better?

Across the whole of Major League history, very few players will be remembered. Very few will ever have a moment that defines a city, a fanbase, and a sport. Anthony Rizzo worked to, and found himself being one of those very few lucky players. Chicago and baseball will never forget him.

That alone makes me think about what else anybody could want in a career. He was an All-Star, a Gold Glover, a Roberto Clemente winner, and a World Series champion. It is hard to ask for more. And, I won't.

I think Anthony Rizzo deserved better from the Yankees. But, I also think that his career was going to come to a close soon anyway.

To become a player beloved in multiple cities showcases who they are as a player, as a person, and as a role model. Anthony Rizzo will always be remembered in the best of light because of how good of a player, a person, and a role model he is.

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Anthony,

Congrats on your retirement! Thank you for giving it your best, even at your hardest and most trying times, in the hardest and most trying market and fanbase in baseball. Yankees fans will remember you fondly, and baseball fans will do so even more.

Thank you!

-SSTN