Anthony Rizzo doesn’t really feel a way of closure for his first journey to Wrigley Area since getting traded to the Yankees by the Cubs three years in the past.
New York’s first baseman isn’t certain he’ll ever want closure in Chicago after serving to the Cubs win their first World Collection title in 108 years in 2016.
“I believe that door will at all times be open in Chicago,” Rizzo stated. “The quantity of respect I’ve for the fan base there, and the love I’ve for them and the Cubs.”
Not that he doesn’t have comparable emotions with the Yankees, who re-signed Rizzo after the 2021 season and once more a 12 months later to his present $40 million, two-year contract that has a group choice for 2025.
“As a lot as we love Chicago, I believe the place we ended up was excellent for us,” he stated.
Nonetheless, nothing has matched the magic of eight years in the past, when Rizzo had possibly his greatest general season and the Cubs beat Cleveland in an epic Recreation 7 within the World Collection.
The primary championship for the Cubs since 1908 got here just about midway by Rizzo’s nine-plus seasons with them. Rizzo got here up in Boston’s system earlier than a commerce to San Diego, and the Padres later shipped him to the Cubs.
“After we received the World Collection, the tales that you just heard, all the photographs of the individuals going to the graves. Simply the numerous tales you continue to hear,” Rizzo stated. “It was actually particular after we received and simply the years after, being there, seeing how completely satisfied these followers have been. I believe anybody you ask on that group will say just about the identical factor.”
Not surprisingly within the period of free company and commerce deadline dealing, a lot of the gamers from that group are elsewhere. Whereas Rizzo retains in contact with a number of of them, the sequence beginning Friday shall be as a lot in regards to the venerable residence of the Cubs as anything.
And people followers.
“I liked it,” Rizzo stated of taking part in at Wrigley. “The followers deliver the power there day-after-day, just like Yankee Stadium, just like Fenway, just like Dodger Stadium. I believe Fenway’s my favourite place to go to as a customer, and I’m excited to go to Wrigley as a customer and simply return and be on the opposite aspect of it.”
In 2016, Rizzo hit .292 with 32 residence runs and 109 RBIs, these energy numbers tied for his profession excessive. It was the latest of his three All-Star nods, which occurred consecutively, and was the one season through which he was a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner.
The numbers haven’t been fairly the identical with the Yankees, however accidents have plagued the previous two seasons. The 35-year-old Rizzo had a concussion final 12 months and not too long ago returned from a proper forearm fracture that sidelined him for about 2 1/2 months.
The Cubs and Yankees performed a sequence every of the previous two seasons, however each have been in New York. Now Rizzo waits for what appears sure shall be a heat greeting from Cubs followers.
“I believe it’s going to be superior,” stated Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone, who visited Wrigley incessantly as a participant since his first six-plus seasons within the huge leagues have been with NL Central rival Cincinnati. “He’ll be perpetually etched of their historical past and perpetually beloved in that city. I’m certain it’s thrilling for him to return.”
As a lot as he cherishes what occurred in Chicago, Rizzo believes the timing was fairly good on the deadline deal that introduced him to New York when the Cubs have been transferring right into a rebuilding section.
“I believe simply getting traded was a refresher for my profession,” Rizzo stated. “To have the ability to reside within the metropolis and play at Yankee Stadium is one thing I want each baseball participant might expertise. The lights are brighter. They shine slightly brighter day-after-day. It brings one of the best out of you.”