Friday was a special day at Wrigley Field! Anthony Rizzo, the beloved first baseman, had spent the bulk of his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs. He made his much-anticipated return after being traded to the New York Yankees in 2021. And as Rizzo stepped back onto his old stomping grounds, the Cubs rolled out the red carpet for him, but they didn’t just stop at a warm welcome. 

The team cranked up his iconic walk-up song, ‘Intoxicated’ by Martin Solveig and GTA, and let me tell you, the place erupted! Over his stellar career in Chicago, he amassed an impressive haul of accolades: four Gold Glove awards, three NL All-Star appearances, and a jaw-dropping 242 home runs with 784 RBIs. The crowd was on their feet, giving him a thunderous standing ovation. Rizzo soaking in the love and nostalgia got teary-eyed while the tune blasted through the speakers—what a throwback!  

Anthony Rizzo gets an emotional tribute as he returns to Wrigley

Despite the emotional reunion at Wrigley Field, Rizzo and his new team came out on top, securing a 3-0 victory over the Cubs. In a heartfelt moment captured by YES Network, a reporter caught up with Anthony Rizzo after his emotional return to Wrigley Field. The reporter asked Rizzo if he was getting teary-eyed during the tribute and whether he’d ever experienced anything like it on the field before. Rizzo’s response was pure gold: “I was trying to hold it together. But you know, you’ve got to enjoy these moments. I was just being raw. I loved playing here. The atmosphere here is unmatched.”  When the Cubs scooped up Anthony Rizzo in January 2012, he was more than just a new player; he was the first piece of a grand puzzle that would reshape the team’s future. 

For countless Cubs fans, trading Rizzo to the Yankees marked the end of an iconic era. His .272 batting average tells a story of consistent excellence, but the crown jewel of his time with the Cubs was, without a doubt, the 2016 World Series title. That wasn’t just any championship—it was the end of a grueling 108-year drought. Anthony Rizzo, alongside teammates like Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, and Kyle Schwarber, didn’t just win a World Series; they rewrote Chicago’s baseball history and became legends in their own right.

Fast forward to the summer of 2021, and Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees. In an interview with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Rizzo shared, “I really hope to retire as a Yankee.” While his new chapter was just beginning, his impact on the Cubs and their fans remains unforgettable. 

Rizzo rejoins roster for crucial stretch

Before Sunday’s crucial rubber match against the St. Louis Cardinals, the NY Yankees made a big splash with some roster moves, including the much-anticipated return of Anthony Rizzo from the 60-day injured list. Manager Aaron Boone was all smiles as he spoke about Rizzo’s return, claiming, “We’re obviously excited to get him back. As I’ve mentioned the past few days, he seems to be in a really good mental place and physically, he’s been feeling great for a few weeks now. We’re hoping he can come in and give us a boost.” Sidelined since June 17 with a forearm fracture, Anthony was back in action, taking his place at first base and batting seventh.

It’s been a bit of a rough ride this season for the 35-year-old slugger. With only 70 games played, Anthony Rizzo has hit eight home runs and driven in 28 RBIs, posting a .223/.289/.341 slash line and a .630 OPS. Not exactly the numbers he’s used to. But Boone remains optimistic: “We’ll see. I still believe he has the ability to be productive. He’s walking in here with some confidence, and he’s got an amazing track record. We’re hoping he can find his groove again and help energize our lineup.” Traded to New York at the 2021 deadline on an expiring contract, Rizzo quickly made an impact. So, the team didn’t waste any time locking him in, re-signing him in 2021.

The Yankees showed they were all in on Rizzo, offering him a two-year, $40 million deal with a club option for 2025 the following year. But after a challenging season last year with post-concussion syndrome and a rough start to 2024, Rizzo’s right forearm fracture kept him on the IL for two-and-a-half months. With just 74 games under his belt this season, his OPS stands at .629—his personal lowest since his rookie year with the San Diego Padres in 2011. But Anthony Rizzo isn’t one to be easily kept down; on September 1, he gave fans a glimpse of the power that once electrified Wrigley Field, racking up two doubles in his return to the lineup.

Will Anthony Rizzo make a comeback and take the Yankees to the finish line? Share what you think in the comments below.