Anthony Rizzo’s baseball journey has always been more than statistics. It has been about heart, leadership, and the bond between a city and its first baseman. This week, that journey comes to a close on the field. Rizzo is retiring as a Cub, and on Saturday the team will honor him with a celebration at Wrigley Field. At the same time, he will begin a new chapter as an ambassador for the franchise.
For the Cubs fans, it is the farewell of a player who symbolized the promise of a brighter future during some of the team’s darkest years. Long before the 2016 World Series, Rizzo was the face of belief. His presence gave fans a reason to keep watching, even in losing seasons. Now, he will continue to represent the Cubs off the field, carrying that same spirit into his ambassador role.
The Cornerstone of a Rebuild
When Anthony Rizzo first put on a Cubs uniform in 2012, the franchise was at rock bottom. The team had lost 101 games the year before, and fans were bracing themselves for another stretch long struggles however Rizzo’s arrival mid summer that year brought a change in their way of play. He hit .285 with 15 home runs in only half a season. At the same time, Theo Epstein had just begun reshaping the organization and with Rizzo quickly becoming the face of that plan and cornerstone of a rebuild.
In the thread, one fan said he was the first piece of the puzzle, the player who made the rest of the rebuild make sense. The patience he inspired paid off in 2016, when the Cubs finally won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. It was proof that belief and loyalty had finally been rewarded, and at the center of it all stood Anthony Rizzo, the architect himself.
“He was the first piece, the very first piece. He deserved to keep that ball in his pocket.” — u/BUSean, 2025
That ball refers to the final out of the 2016 World Series. Rizzo was a leader in the clubhouse, someone who calmed nerves and kept teammates focused in the biggest moments. To many, he is the face of the 2016 championship team, someone his team members could rely upon.
A People’s Captain
Over the years, Rizzo became more than a first baseman. Fans often described him as the captain, even though the Cubs never officially used the title. Even during seasons when the team struggled or when his own numbers dipped, Rizzo remained a symbol of professionalism and kept his head up high. He also mentored younger players, and represented the franchise with grace. His work off the field, especially in support of children battling cancer, showed that his impact stretched far beyond baseball.
Anthony Rizzo never wore the “C” on his jersey, but to fans and teammates he was the captain of the Chicago Cubs. His leadership was not loud or forced. It came from the way he carried himself, from his steady play on the field to his ability to keep the team calm in the tensest moments. Even in seasons when the Cubs struggled, Rizzo never stopped being the face of the team. He played through injuries, worked hard to stay on the field, and never let frustration show in public. All this made fans respect him even more.
Retirement, Final Seasons and what Lies Ahead
Anthony Rizzo’s final years on the field were difficult. His time with the Yankees showed flashes of the hitter he was in his prime but injuries began to take their toll. Unfortunately, a concussion in 2023 lingered far longer than expected with many fans believing it was mishandled by the team and the medics. His returned to the mound but the flair he once had was missing.
Still, Rizzo’s legacy had already been written. He was the face of a Cubs revival, the leader of a team that broke the longest drought in baseball, and the steady presence who defined a generation of Chicago baseball. Now, with retirement official, Rizzo steps into a role that keeps him close to the Cubs family. As an ambassador, he will remain a visible and vocal part of the organization. Anthony Rizzo’s story with the Cubs is not ending. It is simply changing chapters.
