The cheers began as soon as Anthony Rizzo was announced with the starting lineup for the New York Yankees. And that was just the start.
Rizzo received several standing ovations on Friday in his first game back at Wrigley Field since being traded from the Chicago Cubs to New York in July 2021.
“The whole day I was smiling,” Rizzo said. “There would be times where I was just on the field just smiling, taking it in. I haven’t been here in a while, so it’s nice to be back.”
Rizzo played for the Cubs for over nine seasons, becoming one of the team’s most beloved players during a very successful period for the franchise.
He batted .272 with 242 home runs and 784 RBIs in 1,308 games for the Cubs, was an NL All-Star three times and won four Gold Gloves.
With Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Báez leading a strong lineup, and Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks excelling on the mound, Chicago won the 2016 World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought.
“This is a special place to play,” Rizzo said. “Anyone who’s played here will say the same thing.”
The Cubs honored Rizzo with a pregame video that highlighted his accomplishments on and off the field, including his work with pediatric cancer patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital. The crowd began cheering when the video started and the applause grew louder when it ended.
Rizzo emerged from the visitors’ dugout and acknowledged the extended ovation by raising his hat in gratitude. He hugged his wife, Emily, posed for pictures, then ran out to the outfield and waved to the fans in the bleachers.
