Anthony Rizzo
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| Anthony Rizzo | |
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| Name | Anthony Rizzo |
| Position | First baseman |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Left |
| Birth date | 8 August 1989 |
| Birth place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | April 7 |
| Debutyear | 2011 |
| Debutteam | San Diego Padres |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Statyear | 2024 season |
| Teams | * San Diego Padres (2011) * Chicago Cubs (2012–2021) * New York Yankees (2021–2023) * Boston Red Sox (2024–present) |
Anthony Rizzo Anthony Rizzo is an American professional baseball first baseman known for his tenure with the Chicago Cubs and contributions to multiple Major League Baseball teams. He emerged from the Chicago area as a top prospect and became a two-time All-Star who helped break the Cubs’ 108-year World Series drought. Rizzo is also recognized for his cancer survivorship and extensive charitable work.
Early life and amateur career
Rizzo was born in Chicago and raised in Parkland, Florida after his family relocated from Hillside, New Jersey to pursue youth athletics and academic opportunities. He attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where he played baseball and hockey alongside peers who would go on to play at collegiate and professional levels; he also participated in travel baseball circuits affiliated with regional programs in Florida. As a highly ranked high school prospect, he committed to Florida State University before signing a professional contract after being selected in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox; subsequent trades involved San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs farm systems. In the minor leagues, he played for affiliates including the Fort Wayne Wizards, Lake Elsinore Storm, and Tucson Padres, drawing comparisons to established first basemen such as Albert Pujols, Adam Dunn, and Joey Votto for his left-handed power and plate discipline.
Professional career
Rizzo made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 2011 before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in a deal that included prospects moving between Padres and Cubs front offices. With the Cubs, he established himself as a franchise cornerstone, posting multiple seasons with 20+ home runs and leading club leaders in RBIs and on-base metrics while playing home dates at Wrigley Field. He was a central figure during the Cubs’ run to the National League Championship Series and the 2016 and 2017 postseason campaigns, culminating in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series title over the Cleveland Indians. Rizzo earned Gold Glove Award and multiple Silver Slugger Award considerations while also being selected to All-Star Game rosters. In 2021 he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he continued to produce power numbers in the American League and contribute to postseason pushes; later contracts included a stint with the Boston Red Sox and ongoing service in MLB through the mid-2020s. Throughout his career he featured alongside teammates such as Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, Anthony Davis (not the basketball player), Jorge Soler, Jake Arrieta, and faced pitchers including Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Justin Verlander.
International play
Rizzo represented the United States national baseball team in international competition, participating in events sanctioned by USA Baseball and contests that involved matchups against national teams from Japan, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. He took part in exhibition series and charity events alongside American veterans and prospects who later competed in tournaments such as the World Baseball Classic and Olympic Games (baseball) qualifiers. His international appearances paired him with players from organizations like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.
Playing style and achievements
Rizzo is a left-handed hitter and first baseman noted for advanced plate approach, on-base ability, and gap-to-gap power that translated into doubles and home runs at ballparks such as Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, and Fenway Park. Defensively, he earned recognition for his footwork, glove work, and ability to make plays on throws from various infielders, contributing to a Gold Glove Award-level profile during peak seasons. Key achievements include multiple All-Star Game selections, being part of the 2016 World Series champion roster, franchise records for first basemen in single-season metrics, and awards from organizations such as Baseball America and The Sporting News. He has placed highly in Silver Slugger Award voting and led his team in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in several seasons, facing pitchers from National League and American League power rotations.
Personal life and philanthropy
A cancer survivor after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma early in his career, Rizzo has worked with medical institutions including Rush University Medical Center and pediatric oncology units in coordination with hospitals in Chicago and beyond. He founded the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, partnering with charities like Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and local community organizations to fund pediatric cancer research, patient support, and hospital renovations. Rizzo’s philanthropic initiatives have included events with teammates, collaborations with franchises such as the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, and public service recognitions from municipal leaders in Chicago and New York City. Off the field, he has associations with public figures and athletes across sports, attends community events, and maintains residences in Chicago and New York.
Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:American baseball players Category:People from Chicago