Former Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo reveals heartfelt reason for retirement originally appeared on The Sporting News

Anthony Rizzo announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday morning after an incredible 14-year career. Rizzo spent almost 10 of those years with the Chicago Cubs, and will retire as a Cub.

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In addition to retiring as a Cub, Rizzo will become an ambassador for the club, joining four other Cubs’ greats: Andre Dawson, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist.

Rizzo gave 10 wonderful years of baseball to Cubs’ fans, including a 2016 World Series championship, but he’s decided it’s time to hang the cleats up, and an addition to the Rizzo family this summer had something to do with it.

Rizzo’s Heartfelt Reason for Retirement

Rizzo’s last three years of his career with the New York Yankees were up and down, and he dealt with an injury in 2024. So, when he didn’t find a great opportunity to play in 2025 as a free agent, retirement began to enter to the picture.

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“I think the timing of everything just played itself out. I let it play itself out,” Rizzo said (h/t Marquee Sports Network). “I was looking for a really good opportunity, obviously, to play, and it just didn’t come to fruition.”

The Cubs’ World Series champion wasn’t playing baseball in the summer, so it gave him more time to spend with his family. Then, in late June there was an addition to the family.

Rizzo’s wife, Emily, gave birth to their first child this summer, and suddenly retirement became much clearer into Rizzo’s mind.

“That made it so much easier,” Rizzo said of the birth of his son (h/t Marquee Sports Network). “I gave everything I had on the field and off the field. So when the right opportunities didn’t arise, and we had the baby, just getting to spend so much more time at home and have this summer off, it’s been amazing, and it just all came naturally.”

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Rizzo gave his time to the game of baseball, playing in more than 1,700 games, collecting more than 1,600 hits, 300 home runs, and nearly 1,000 RBI. However, now it’s time for the 14-year veteran to turn his focus to his family.

Although Rizzo won’t be on the field anymore, he’ll certainly still be enjoying the game, just in a more relaxing position.

“There’s no more stress,” Rizzo said with a smile (h/t Marquee Sports Network). “I just get to enjoy a baseball game. I’ll have a hot dog, I’m gonna have a beer and I’m gonna really just take it all in.”

On Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Rizzo will be honored at Wrigley Field as he retires as a member of the Cubs’ organization.