Anthony Rizzo to retire with Chicago Cubs, take on new role with team

CHICAGO (WAND) - Anthony Rizzo will retire with the Chicago Cubs but is taking on a new role with the team.

The 2016 World Series star will join the cubs as an ambassador, returning to Wrigley Field Saturday.

The team announced Wednesday that Rizzo will announce his retirement Saturday as the Cubs face off against the Tampa Bay Rays. The game will feature celebrations of Rizzo's career with on-field tributes and more, NBC Chicago reported.

"Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “His play on the field spoke for itself and was recognized with multiple All-Star appearances, Gold Glove Awards, the Roberto Clemente Award and, ultimately, being a team leader on the 2016 World Series championship team. Who could forget Anthony catching Kris Bryant’s throw from third base for the final out that clinched the series?"

Rizzo, 36, will end his 14-year MLB career with 1,644 hits, 303 home runs and 965 RBIs in 1,727 games played.

He was traded to the Yankees in 2021 and played his last game there in 2024.

During his 10 years with the Cubs, which included 39 postseason games, Rizzo hit 242 home runs and 784 RBI.

Rizzo won the 2016 World Series with the Cubs, is a four-time Gold Glove-award winner and three-time All-Star. He has also won a Silver Slugger and Platinum Glove award.

He is also a cancer survivor, beating Hodgkin's lymphoma, and was named the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award recipient for helping families cope with the disease through his work with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, serving children with cancer.

"In addition, he was an inspiration to so many off the field through his foundation and his work with cancer research. Anthony's professional career on the field might be complete, but it will be great to share this next chapter with him here with the Cubs," Ricketts said. "On behalf of the Cubs organization, we all congratulate Anthony for a memorable and successful playing career. We know the best is yet to come for him, his wife, Emily, and their family. We look forward to their rejoining our Cubs family as we create new memories for fans."