Anthony Rizzo retiring as member of the Cubs after 14 MLB seasons - ESPN

CHICAGO — Former Chicago Cubs all-star Anthony Rizzo is returning to the organization as an ambassador for the club and will retire as a Cub during an on-field ceremony at Wrigley Field before Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rizzo, 36, played 14 years in MLB including a decade with the Cubs where he made three all-star teams and won four gold gloves. His biggest accomplishment was helping lead Chicago to a World Series title in 2016, its first for the organization in 108 years. He played his final 3.5 seasons for the New York Yankees after being traded there in the summer of 2021.

«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.»

There will only ever be one Anthony Rizzo. pic.twitter.com/d3APSO3QWf

Rizzo has a career .828 OPS including 303 home runs. His first homer came as a member of the San Diego Padres after being traded there from the Boston Red Sox who drafted him in 2007. The Cubs acquired him via trade in 2012, shortly before his career took off. By 2014, he was a mainstay at first base for the Cubs who would make the postseason every year from 2015-2018 with Rizzo as one of the faces of the franchise. He earned MVP votes in five consecutive seasons while hitting 30 or more home runs in four of those years — not an easy task for a lefthanded hitter at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo was a key player for the Cubs