CHICAGO — After three years, Anthony Rizzo is finally returning to his hometown.
For the first time since the Cubs traded him to the Yankees in 2021, Rizzo, who became beloved by the city and fanbase after playing a leading role in the franchise's first World Series victory since 1908 during his 10-year tenure, will return to Wrigley Field as a visitor on Friday afternoon.
“As far as a resolution, I think that door is always open in Chicago,” Rizzo said before the Yankees spent Thursday off in Chicago. “My respect for the Chicago fan base and my love for them and the Cubs will never change.” [matched].”
Lizzo has had the weekend marked on her calendar since the schedule was announced last year, but for a long time it seemed like something far in the future.
The 35-year-old is just a week removed from the disabled list after missing two and a half months with a broken forearm, but he's back in the mix for a September playoff run that was a familiar sight during his time with the Cubs.
With 40 friends and family members expected to watch, plus another 41,000 who may consider him family after helping the team win a championship in 2016, Rizzo said he expects there will be even more emotion when he steps up to bat for the first time.
“We're all happy to see him honored,” said Gerrit Cole, who played against Rizzo many times in the NL Central during his time as a pitcher with the Pirates. “He was a great player who was beloved by the fans, a team leader, tenacious and played every day.
“He deserves to close the book.”
The only other player remaining on the Cubs' active roster who played in the 2016 World Series alongside Rizzo is right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who started Game 7 against Cleveland in an epic showdown that was rained out in the 10th inning but ended with the Cubs breaking a 108-year curse with a win.
Rizzo said he still appreciates umpire Joe West calling the rain postponement every time he sees him, and he thinks about it every time he returns to the visitors' clubhouse at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
This weekend will be a rare opportunity for Rizzo to reminisce and reminisce about the Cubs' championship run.
“Obviously, he'll always be etched in our team's history and he'll always be beloved in this city,” head coach Aaron Boone said.
When asked if he fully understands what he means to the fan base, Rizzo cited the many times he was thanked after a World Series and told a story about fans visiting relatives' graves to celebrate.
“So it was a really special feeling after we won and then all these years later it was really cool to be there and see how happy the fans were,” Rizzo said.
Rizzo had previously said he wanted to be with the Cubs for life, but reportedly turned down offers of a four-year, $60 million or five-year, $70 million contract extension in the spring of 2021.
Instead, he was traded to the Yankees that summer and has since signed a contract making $50 million over the last three years with a $17 million club option for 2025 (or a $6 million buyout).
“The contract and everything else just worked itself out by playing the last few years and making the same amount of money that I was offered or maybe a little bit more,” Rizzo said. “So I think getting traded here was a refreshing change for my career. Being able to live in this city and play at Yankee Stadium is something that I wish every baseball player had the experience of. The lights are brighter, I can shine a little bit more every day and perform at my best.”
Rizzo is one of just two active Yankees players (along with Juan Soto) to have won a World Series, and he'll be hoping to use that experience to bring another championship to the Bronx in October.
But first, a trip down memory lane in Chicago.
“It will be a special experience for me. [my wife] “I just want to get back with my family, Emily,” Rizzo said. “We've done a lot of really special things in that city. It would be awesome to get back as a Yankee.”
