CHICAGO — Anthony Rizzo received a hero's welcome in his first return to Wrigley Field.
It was an emotional and nostalgic day for the veteran first baseman, who helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years in 2016.
Rizzo, who was returning to the field for the first time since being traded to the Yankees in 2021, was honored with a tribute video from the Cubs before the game, followed by thunderous applause and a tearful Rizzo taking to the field to pay his respects to the crowd of 40,101.
“I'm just grateful and it's amazing,” Rizzo said. “It was an amazing moment and I'll never forget it and cherish it. Obviously every moment I spent here was special, but to come back and share that moment and be on the field with Emily, my wife and my family is something I'll never forget.”
In the top of the second inning, Rizzo received another standing ovation when he took his first at-bat, and the Cubs got the crowd going again by playing Rizzo's old entrance song, “Intoxicated.”
On the drive to Wrigley, Rizzo looked out the bus window, noticed the choppy waters of Lake Michigan, and knew the wind would be blowing during the game.
When he arrived, he was greeted by former clubhouse attendants and Cubs officials.
On the field before the game, many people were wearing yellow T-shirts to commemorate the work Rizzo, a cancer survivor himself, did for pediatric cancer patients while playing here.
Rizzo and his wife visited Lurie Children's Hospital on their day off Thursday, and his contributions there were also highlighted in the memorial video.
“It was awesome. It was really emotional,” coach Aaron Boone said. “You could see the emotion in Anthony's eyes when he came out after the video. They did a great job. I thought Anthony went out there and played well, seeing the fans really excited to see him.”
Rizzo, who said before the game that he wanted to retire as a Yankee, finished with one hit and one walk in three at-bats and showed sharp defense at first base.
“I'm just looking to bask in it all weekend,” he said. “I just hope we can win. That's the most important thing. We're just trying to get better and get better in September baseball. We're in a good spot.”
Austin Wells, playing his first game since Monday, caught a 95 mph fastball with his right hand and gave up a two-run single while catching a batter who gave up one hit in the third inning.
“It's good to have him back and good to see him make an impact for us both offensively and defensively,” Boone said.
Ian Hamilton is expected to return from the disabled list on Saturday after missing the past 2 1/2 months with back tightness. … After Friday's game, the Yankees optioned Ron Marinaccio to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
On Saturday, they will need to make room on the roster to bring both Hamilton and Clark Schmidt off the injured list to start against the Cubs.
After the Yankees reinstated Scott Efros to Triple-A on Thursday, Boone left open the possibility that Efros could return this season.
“What I told him is he still has a chance to come back,” Boone said, “but I think he's gotten a lot better over the last month and now he's healthy and pitching, which is important.”
