He's coming home!

 

My favorite-most ballplayer of all-time, Anthony Rizzo, is returning to Wrigley Field. He has signed a one-day contract with the Cubs so he can officially retire as a North Sider. He will remain with the team as "baseball ambassador," representing the Cubs at events. As he should. For with all due respect to Ryne Sandberg, no one but Ernie Banks personified the heart and soul of the Cubs more than Rizz.

To say I am verklempt would be an understatement. Yes, he made the final out of the historic 2016 World Series, ending the longest championship drought in American sports history. Yes, he was a three-time all-star with more than 300 home runs. Of course he provided elite defense at first base. And he did it all with such passion, such joy.

But more than that, Anthony Rizzo gave back. Continues to give back. Example: during the covid shut down, he catered hot meals for hospital workers. A wonderful gesture. To make it even better, the food came from struggling local restaurants that needed the business. He does stuff like this all the fucking time. They don't give out Roberto Clemente Awards and ESPN Sports Humanitarian nominations for nothing.

And there are the kids. He has spent endless hours with pediatric cancer patients and their families at New York's Montefiore Medical Center, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and most of all, Lurie Children's Hospital here in Chicago. When he visited the hospitalized children, he not only gave them his autographed (and let them wear the World Series ring), he asked them to sign his jersey because each child was a hero and a warrior. 

This is what Anthony Rizzo will be wearing on Saturday when he steps onto Wrigley Field to officially end his career.

 

Anthony Rizzo makes me want to be a better person. I am so grateful for all he's meant to me on and off the field. 

I hope his next chapter includes health, happiness and lots of time with his wife, new baby and dog Kevin.