All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo to retire with Chicago Cubs

1 of 5 | Longtime Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will join the franchise as a team ambassador. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Anthony Rizzo will retire as a member of the Chicago Cubs, he announced Wednesday. The All-Star first baseman also spent time with the New York Yankees.

"This game gave me everything," Rizzo wrote on Instagram. "14 years later, I'm retiring with nothing but gratitude."

Rizzo, 36, was a sixth-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB Draft. He was sent to the San Diego Padres as part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade in 2010. The Padres traded Rizzo to the Cubs in 2010. The Cubs traded Rizzo to the Yankees in 2021.

Rizzo hit .228 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs over 92 appearances last season for the Yankees. He hit .261 with 303 home runs over 1,727 career appearances. Rizzo earned All-Star selections for three-consecutive seasons from 2014 through 2016 while with the Cubs. He hit at least 30 home runs each season from 2014 through 2017. He finished fourth in the National League MVP race in 2015 and 2016.

He also earned four Gold Glove Awards. Rizzo's 242 home runs with the Cubs rank sixth in franchise history.

Rizzo also helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, ending their 108-year championship drought. He hit .277 with three home runs and 10 RBIs that postseason. He also appeared in the World Series while with the Yankees in 2024. He hit .267 with a double over 10 appearances last postseason.

"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 owner 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."

The Cubs plan to honor Rizzo on Saturday when they host the Tampa Bay Rays in Chicago. He also will join the organization as a team ambassador.