Wrigley Field today was bustling not only because of the festive atmosphere, but also because of the return of one of the greatest icons in Chicago Cubs history – Anthony Rizzo. With a bright smile, with his wife and young child in his arms, Rizzo walked onto the familiar field as if there had never been a separation. And at that moment, thousands of Cubbies’ hearts suddenly fluttered.
“Returning to your family is always the best thing,” Rizzo shared in the solemn retirement ceremony, his eyes shining with happiness and emotion. He talked not only about the Cubs, but also about his real family – his wife Emily and his young child who witnessed for the first time the place where his father wrote the legend.
Rizzo was the heart and soul of the Cubs, who led the team to the 2016 World Series championship – a historic milestone that ended the 108-year “curse”. He passed away in tears in 2021, and then his baseball journey ended at the same starting point: Wrigley Field.
The loud cheers when Rizzo walked out of the dugout, flanked by his family, reminded fans that this was more than just a player. This was a son of Chicago, an icon forever attached to this land.
In the stands, many fans held up signs reading “Welcome Home, Rizz” or “Forever a Cub”. Many people shed tears when witnessing the image of him hugging his daughter, gently kissing her hair right at the field that generations of Cubs considered a sanctuary.
“That moment was like time stopped,” said a longtime fan. “We didn’t just see Rizzo return, we saw the whole Cubs family reunited.”
Although his playing journey has ended, for the Cubs, Rizzo will always be the spiritual captain. He left behind not just statistics and home runs, but also a fighting spirit, leadership, and a heart for the team.
Anthony Rizzo may have retired from the uniform, but his love for the Cubs – and the Cubs’ love for him – will never fade.
And as the ceremony ended, his words echoed through the Chicago sky:
“It’s always the best thing to come home to your family.”
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