Chicago – Last September, Anthony Rizzo – one of the biggest icons of the golden era of the Chicago Cubs – officially announced his retirement, ending 14 glorious seasons in MLB. But just over a month later, he appeared at the most familiar place: Wrigley Field, this time not in a game uniform, but as a team Ambassador – a living symbol of the “Never Quit” spirit that Chicago is always proud of.
In an exclusive sharing with the Chicago Tribune, Rizzo choked up when talking about his new journey:
“When I walked into Wrigley Field that morning, everything was like it had never changed – the smell of the grass, the sound of the audience, the sunlight shining on the stands… except this time I wasn’t wearing a glove. I was no longer a player, but I was still a part of the Cubs.”
He admitted he cried when he was greeted by the management, the field staff and hundreds of fans who still chanted his name like they did in 2016 – the legendary season that brought the Cubs to the championship after a 108-year wait.
“I’m proud to have been a part of that team that broke that curse,” Rizzo said, his voice quiet. “But I’m even more grateful that, to this day, after all that, the Cubs still consider me family.”
The Cubs Ambassador role is more than just an honorary title. Rizzo has participated in a series of community programs, met with young players in the minor league system, and become a bridge between the current generation and the past of the team.
During a Cubs academy meeting, he told the young players:
“When I first got here in 2012, no one knew where the Cubs were going. But I saw something bigger – belief. You have to believe in this organization, in this city, in these fans.”
Those words echoed through the practice facility, reminding many of Rizzo of his time – the captain without the armband, but always the soul of the locker room.
A big part of Rizzo’s new role is continuing his charitable work through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which helps children with cancer and their families. He said he will work closely with the Cubs to expand these projects across the state of Illinois.
“I was a kid who fought cancer,” Rizzo reiterated. “If baseball gave me fame, the Cubs gave me the opportunity to turn that fame into something meaningful.”
In his first month back, Rizzo participated in three major events: “Home Run for Hope,” a visit to a children’s hospital, and a veterans’ tribute at Wrigley Field. Everywhere he went, fans stood up and applauded as if welcoming a hero back to his old home.
When asked if he missed the field, Rizzo smiled:
“Of course. I miss the feel of the bat, I miss the swing, I miss the noise of the stands when I step up to the plate. But then I realized – that sound never goes away. It’s still in my heart, every morning when I walk through the gates of Wrigley.”
He paused, then added:
“If one day, I can help a young player feel the same way – then I’ve done my job.”
Anthony Rizzo may no longer be a hero on the field, but in the eyes of Chicago fans, he will always be the heart of the Cubs. The new role doesn’t dim the spotlight of a monument – it just makes him more relatable, more profound.
As the sun set behind the Wrigley Field bleachers, Rizzo stood still, looking out at the empty seats, then said softly:
“I was a Cubs player. Now I’m the one telling that story – and it’s not over yet.”
Leave a Reply