CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo slipped on his Cubs jersey, turned his back to the cameras and spread his arms wide. All around his name and number on the back were signatures of kids Rizzo had visited at Lurie Children’s Hospital over the years in Chicago.
For Rizzo, giving them a moment in the spotlight was important, because he feels his legacy as a member of the Cubs extends beyond the 108-year World Series drought that the 2016 team ended. Rizzo understood he could not only impact with his play on the field, but as a cancer survivor away from the diamond.
And Saturday was a celebration of what Rizzo did for the city.
“After we won the World Series, we knew,” Rizzo said. “Being here, you hear all the stories from all the fans. The Cubs Conventions, just walking in, the fans, it’s overwhelming. It’s amazing. And when we won, that global impact we had on a fan base, on generations of Cubs fans, it’s still lasting.”
Prior to Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Rays, Rizzo officially retired as a member of the Cubs, putting a period on a 14-year career that included a defining decade with the North Siders. He started as one of the building blocks for a group that reached the playoffs five times, won three division crowns and earned a parade with the franchise’s first World Series since 1908.
When Rizzo arrived at Wrigley Field, he entered the team’s offices and playfully held his young son, Anthony Jr., over the trophy in the lobby. Rizzo connected with some players in the clubhouse before holding court with the media. And the former first baseman threw out a ceremonial first pitch as Cubs great Jason Heyward and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, among others, were on the field.
Before the game, Rizzo and his family walked around the outfield, taking photos up against the ivy-covered wall and interacting with fans around the stadium. Chants of “Rizzo! Rizzo!” broke out as he walked the perimeter of the old ballpark.
“It’s a great day just for the fans and Anthony,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, “to get to celebrate what was an incredible impact on the Cubs, the city of Chicago. That’s the best part. The interaction today with the fans and Anthony, we all get to experience that today and that’s really cool.”
You just knew Rizzo was going to have some fun with his day, too.
“He’s a very large child -- in the best way,” quipped outfielder Ian Happ, who broke into the Majors in ‘17 and was teammates with Rizzo for five seasons.
Indeed, Rizzo had mapped out plans for his afternoon.
“I’m going to sit in the bleachers,” Rizzo said. “I’m going to eat a hot dog. I’m going to drink some adult beverages. And are we allowed to do the beer snake [with empty cups]? Because I will be the rally starter for the beer snake. … I have one day to really live it up.”
Rizzo made his way to the left-field bleachers for the start of the game, clapping along to the beat of his old walk-up song, “Intoxicated,” when Happ used it for his first at-bat. In the second inning, Cubs rookie Moisés Ballesteros launched his first career home run and, of course, it flew right to Rizzo.
Rizzo shifted quickly to his feet and stood on the bleachers, but Ballesteros’ blast bounced off his right hand and was retrieved by a nearby fan. Rizzo laughed and celebrated with the Cubs fans around him. For the seventh inning stretch, Rizzo serenaded fans -- alongside Vedder and model Cindy Crawford -- from the bleachers.
Just last year, Rizzo was playing in the World Series with the Yankees, but he became a free agent over the offseason and the right offer did not come along to convince the first baseman to keep going. He was ready for this next chapter with his family.
“I miss the guys,” Rizzo said. “I miss the camaraderie. But watching on TV, the game looks harder. It doesn’t look easier. I don’t know how people think it looks easier from TV. I guess I’m just so fresh removed I know how hard it is to hit 100 [mph]. And seeing guys throw that hard with the stuff they have, it’s nice knowing I don’t have to hit that anymore.
“I get to just wake up and do whatever I want. It’s a beautiful feeling.”
Rizzo said he choked up after receiving some “beautiful” messages from former teammates like Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez, among others, after his retirement announcement earlier this week. The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove recipient said he is very much looking forward to the looming 10-year celebration of their 2016 World Series triumph.
In the meantime, Rizzo will embrace his new role as an ambassador for the Cubs. He recalled how impactful it was to be around legends like Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams when he was a young player, and Rizzo believes it is important to continue to carry the torch for the next generation of players.
“When we won the World Series,” Rizzo said, “I remember just thanking all the guys that were part of this organization before that, that didn’t get lucky enough for the good bounce or for the rain delay or for the strike-three call that was called ball four.
“Now to be an ambassador and carry on a legacy of great Cubs, I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet, because it’s a little new. But it’s pretty incredible. It’s special.”