Closing the brilliance of Season 14—Anthony Rizzo is stepping away from the baseball world

Anthony Rizzo, a top-tier Major League Baseball player, has revealed his intention to end his 14-season career. His retirement, as a first baseman for the New York Yankees, symbolizes not just a player change but the end of an era. He plans to mark this milestone at his alma mater, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, alongside his team.

The Pinnacle of Glory—2016 and the 108-Year Curse

The moment Anthony Rizzo’s name will be forever etched in history is during the 2016 World Series. When the Chicago Cubs, who had been without a championship for 108 years, broke the “curse,” Rizzo was a central figure. In particular, in Game 7, he caught Kris Bryant’s throw from third base to record the final out. This historic moment became the pinnacle of his career.

In the 2016 season, Rizzo delivered an outstanding performance. He played 155 games, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 109 RBIs, earning both Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards. However, his significance that year went beyond stats. He was a finalist for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, and highly praised for his contributions to the community.

In the League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he contributed with a .320 batting average and a .640 slugging percentage, hitting 2 home runs and helping the team advance. In the World Series, he further excelled with a .360 batting average and a .484 on-base percentage, showcasing his skills. During the matchup with the Indians, Rizzo was respected not only for his presence on the field but also for his professionalism.

From Early Stages to a Path of Progress

When the Boston Red Sox selected Rizzo in the 6th round of the 2007 draft from Parkland High School, predicting future glory was difficult. In 2010, he was traded to the San Diego Padres as part of General Manager Jed Hoyer’s plan. On June 11, 2011, he made his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals, recording his first hit.

Soon after, Hoyer moved to Chicago, and Rizzo was traded again. His first season with the Cubs in 2012 saw him appear in 87 games, batting .285 with a .342 on-base percentage. His growth trajectory from the following year was dramatic.

The Prime Years in Chicago

From 2014 to 2020, Rizzo became the face of the Cubs. He consistently posted OPS+ over 124 for six consecutive seasons, was selected to three All-Star games, finished in the top 10 in MVP voting three times, and won four Gold Glove awards.

2016 was his peak, but he maintained solid performance afterward. In the Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, he struggled with 1 hit in 15 at-bats but made up for it with his playoff performances.

The Final Chapter with the Yankees

In the 2021 trade deadline, Rizzo moved to the Yankees. His first two games were impressive, with 4 hits in 5 at-bats and 2 home runs, but his subsequent career in New York faced challenges.

In the 2023 season, he suffered a concussion after a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr., missing the rest of the season. In 2024, he fractured his arm after colliding with a Red Sox pitcher, missing 63 games. His performance after returning was below average, with a .267 batting average and a .421 on-base percentage, struggling overall.

At the end of the season, Rizzo received a contract offer below his market value. He chose not to accept these terms and decided to spend the 2025 season away from baseball, ending his playing career. According to Spotrac, his total career salary exceeded $135 million, indicating that his decision was based on principles rather than financial reasons.

Beyond Baseball—Facing Cancer

The greatest victory in Anthony Rizzo’s life lies outside the field. At just over a year after the draft, he was diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma in its limited stage. The Boston Red Sox, having experienced the same challenge with Jon Lester two years earlier, fully supported the young player. After six months of chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Rizzo was declared in remission and medically able to resume normal life.

However, his definition of “normal life” differed from most. In 2012, he established the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, dedicated to cancer research and supporting patients and their families. Over the years, the foundation has hosted countless events such as annual cooking contests, comedy nights, and walks to raise funds.

He also continued to contribute directly to his alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, supporting victims of subsequent shootings and donating lighting systems for the school’s baseball and softball fields.

Looking Beyond Retirement

The days when a guest on Bill Simmons’ podcast said, “There’s no way I’ll tell stories about Anthony Rizzo on my grandson’s lap,” are long gone. With a 14-season Major League career, numerous personal honors, World Series glory, and most importantly, a pure love for the sport of baseball—demonstrated through excellence on the field and charity off it—Rizzo has earned respect.

The name Anthony Rizzo will not only be remembered as a professional baseball player but also as a person who overcame adversity, contributed to society, and will be celebrated by future generations as a life story of perseverance, service, and integrity.