Anthony Rizzo Bids Farewell: The End of an Era

Today, Major League Baseball bid adieu to one of its most beloved first basemen. Anthony Rizzo, a central figure in one of the most historic eras in Chicago Cubs history, has officially announced his retirement from professional baseball. He enters the next chapter of his life not with a baseball in his hand, but a Cubs cap on his head—as the team announced he will retire as a Cub and take up the role of team ambassador.

A free agent since the Yankees declined his $17 million option for 2025—with a $6 million buyout—the 36-year-old Rizzo realized the moment had come to step away. Seeking the right opportunity played out, but nothing aligned quite right. Nor did it need to. Family life and life’s rhythms had shifted. In the summer, Rizzo and his wife, Emily, welcomed their first child.

The Cubs are rolling out the red carpet. On Saturday, September 13, before the home game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the team will tee up a full tribute at Wrigley Field—a chance for fans to say thanks, and for Rizzo to soak in his homecoming.

Beyond the field, his impact will persist: Rizzo becomes an ambassador for the Cubs organization. He joins a storied list of Cubs legends who remain involved off the diamond, celebrating and advancing the team's culture, connecting with fans, and acting as a living reminder of what that team once achieved.

Rizzo ends his 14-season MLB journey with a .261/.361/.467 slash line, accumulating 303 home runs, nearly 1,700 hits, and 965 RBIs across 1,727 games.