Anthony Rizzo

At 34 years old, Anthony Rizzo has this physical status:

Anthony Vincent Rizzo (born August 8, 1989) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He has also played in MLB for the San Diego Padres.

He is a three-time All-Star.

Through his philanthropic ventures, he is a regular finalist for the Heart and Hustle award and is considered by many to be one of the most respected players in Major League Baseball.

Rizzo was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB draft and became a top minor league prospect in the Red Sox organization.

He was traded to the San Diego Padres after the 2010 season along with three other prospects in exchange for All-Star first baseman Adrián González.

He made his MLB debut in 2011 with San Diego.

After being traded to the Cubs in 2012, he developed into an All-Star player, appearing in the All-Star Game three consecutive times, from 2014 through 2016, and winning the Silver Slugger Award, Gold Glove Award and Roberto Clemente Award in 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series.

Personal life

Rizzo has an older brother, John, who was a lineman for the Florida Atlantic University football team.

Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2008. He went through chemotherapy for six months. His grandmother was battling breast cancer at the same time. On September 2, 2008, Rizzo's doctor told him he was in remission, though he still had six weeks left of treatment and some follow-up testing. On November 18, Rizzo's doctor told him he "could live a normal life."

Rizzo proposed to girlfriend Emily Vakos on June 1, 2017. They met when the Cubs were in Arizona for spring training 2016. The couple was married on December 29, 2018, with teammate Kris Bryant serving as one of the groomsmen. In 2020, he and his wife adopted a dog, which they named Kevin. They reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They also resided in a Chicago apartment for seven years, but moved out in 2021 after Rizzo was traded.

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Professional career

In the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Red Sox, Rizzo was a sixth-round draft pick out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He was planning to attend Florida Atlantic University before being drafted and signed with a $325,000 signing bonus. Rizzo played for the Red Sox, Greenville Drive, Salem Red Sox, and the Portland Sea Dogs as part of the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, Greenville Drive. Rizzo's minor league career began in 2007 with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox's rookie class. With 1 home run and 3 RBIs, he had a.286/.375/.429 in just 21 at bats. Rizzo, who was 18 years old at the time, competed in class A with the Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League in 2008. He made.373/.446 at bats and 11 RBIs, with 0 home runs and 11 RBIs. In 2009, Rizzo scored 12 home runs. In 2010, he hit a.260 on-base percentage (OBP) of.334 with a slugging percentage (SLG) of.480, as well as 42 doubles, 25 home runs, and 100 RBIs between stops at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland, totaling a total of.260. Rizzo credited his power surge to his swing's easing and better use of his legs.

Rizzo, Casey Kelly, Reymond Fuentes, and Eric Patterson were traded to the Padres by December 6, 2010, a three-time All-Star first baseman Adrián González. Rizzo was ranked as the third best prospect (Kelly came first) and the best power-hitting prospect in the Red Sox company (Kelly was #1). Kevin Boles, Salem's general manager, had previously worked with González in the minors. "Rizzo reminds me a lot of Adrián González... Adrian is a bigger boy and has more power, but they had similar styles of play, and we were impressed with Anthony Rizzo. He's going to be a bad guy." Jed Hoyer, the Padres' general manager, expected either Rizzo or Kyle Blanks to be the Padres' top baseman.

For 2011, the Padres welcomed Rizzo as a non-roster player to their big league camp. He appeared in Triple-A with the Tucson Padres in 2011. Rizzo hit.452 in his first 15 games with six home runs and 24 RBIs. Rizzo's debut in the Major Leagues may be postponed by the Padres, according to the club's cost considerations related to wage arbitration eligibility, which was the subject of "Understand" exception for salary arbitration eligibility in May 2011. Rizzo's inexperience over Double-A and his ineffectiveness at left-handed pitching were cited as a benefit of his continuing to play in Tucson, as a result of his playing in Tucson.

Rizzo was promoted to the majors after being batting 1.159 runs, 16 home runs, and 63 RBI in 200 at-bats in Tucson. Rizzo was dubbed "the most cherished Padres call-up" by the San Diego Union-Tribune after Roberto Alomar debuted with the team in 1988. The Padres' ineffective offensive lineup and fielding of veterans at first base prompted Rizzo's promotion. Rizzo struck out in his first at-bat against the Washington Nationals on June 9, 2011, but the Padres won by 7-3, a run. On June 11, he scored his first home run against John Lannan. He was 3-for-7 with a double, triple, and a home run in three games, but he displayed patience in taking four walks for a.667 on-base percentage (OBP). Rizzo was demoted back to Triple-A on July 21, 2011 and Blanks was promoted. Rizzo had troubled with just a.143 batting average and 1 home run, with 36 out of 36 at-bats. During his first stint in the majors, Hoyer said Rizzo "worked hard, never made excuses, and endeared himself to his teammates." Rizzo was recalled to the majors on September 4 after starting the season at Tucson with 26 home runs and 101 RBI in 93 games. With 46 strikeouts in 128 at-bats, he finished his first season in San Diego, hitting just.141. With Jes Guzmán as the second option, Hoyer expected that Rizzo would be the Padres' starting first baseman in 2012. However, Yonder Alonso stepped ahead of Rizzo on the team's depth chart after being acquired by the Padres in December 2011 in a trade for Mat Latos.

The Padres traded right-handed starting pitcher Zach Cates and right-handed starting pitcher Zach Cates to the Chicago Cubs on January 6, 2012 in exchange for right-handed starting pitcher Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' general manager, mediated the agreement. When working as an assistant general manager for the Red Sox, Hoyer hired Rizzo, and later acquired Rizzo while Padres general manager Steve Davis was in charge of the Padres. He owed it to Rizzo to the majors a few weeks early in San Diego.

Rizzo with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs began the 2012 season. He continued to excel in minor leagues, batting.342 with 23 home runs and 62 RBIs before being recalled by the Cubs on June 26. He was expected to help a fading offense in San Diego, similar to his call-up.

In his first five games with the team, he became the first player in Cubs history to have three game-winning RBIs. In July, he hit seven home runs, the most by a Cubs rookie since Mel Hall hit nine in August 1983. He was also one of the top national league (NL) rookies in home runs, hits (17), and total bases (55). He came in second among NL rookies in runs scored (14), was third in batting average,.375 on-base percentage, and a.567 slugging percentage, placing him second, second among NL rookies in runs scored (14). He was named league Rookie of the Month in July.

Rizzo agreed to a seven-year, $41 million deal on May 12, 2013. There were two club options that could have a five-year deal or seven million dollars. He was voted the Cubs finalist for the national Heart and Hustle Award, as well as the Cubs finalist for the Roberto Clemente Award. Rizzo was ranked second in the Gold Glove awards for first basemen. Despite having an off-year in 2013, Rizzo demonstrated tremendous patience, belting 23 home runs and 40 doubles in 606 at bats with a.233 batting average.

Rizzo played his fifth multi-homer game on May 30, and his second straight home run on June 6. Rizzo was elected into the All-Star game by fans and White Sox pitcher Chris Sale in the final election. Rizzo joined teammate Starlin Castro in Minneapolis for the All-Star game. Rizzo received his first Player of the Week award in late July. Rizzo was named as the youngest player to be honoured with the Branch Rickey Award in mid-September as "a good role model for young people." Rizzo's overall on-base and slugging percentage of.913 (3rd in the NL), 32 home runs (2nd in the NL), led the majors in hit by pitch (15th) and ranked 10th in the National League MVP rankings, with a combined on-base and slugging percentage of 16.4 (2nd in the NL).

Rizzo was selected on the player's ballot for the 2015 All-Star Team. He was in his second year playing in the league for the second year in a row. For the first time in his career, he participated in the 2015 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, but he lost in the first round to Josh Donaldson. Rizzo scored his 100th home run and 300th RBI against Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha on September 8, 2015. Rizzo was struck by a pitch 30 times in 2015, leading the major leagues, and Don Baylor was the only other member of the 30HR/30HBP club. Rizzo posted a.278 batting average, 31 home runs, 38 doubles, and 101 RBI in 701 plate appearances, leading the major leagues in hit by pitch with 30. In National League MVP voting, he ranked 4th. Rizzo earned the MLB Heart and Hustle Award, which is given to a player with a keen interest in the game, as well as a strong sense of humor, spirit, and traditions that represent the game of baseball. Rizzo was also given the same award by the Cubs organization, this was his second time.

Rizzo debuted as the first baseman at the 2016 All-Star game, receiving the most fan votes in the National League. Rizzo had become one of three players, and the first left-handed player to reach over 40 doubles and 30 home runs in the same year. Rizzo was a good sport in 155 games with 583 at bats and scored 94 runs. With 43 doubles, 4 triples, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs, he was struck by a pitch 16 times, had 170 hits, 4 triples, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs. He finished the year with a batting average of 292 and was fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player poll. Rizzo's fielding excellence was recognized with a Gold Glove Award. Rizzo was one of six finalists for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award and was the Cubs nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Rizzo broke out of his NLCS slump after a rough start in the season. He was instrumental in the Los Angeles Dodgers' three victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers and guided the Cubs to their first World Series appearance since 1945. Rizzo scored 7 runs and 5 RBIs in the 2016 World Series, helping the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908. He also received the Esurance MLB Award for "Best Social Media Personality" and "Best Play: Defense" as a result. Rizzo's defense won the Cubs' first basemen and he was named the recipient of his first Fielding Bible Award and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also received the Platinum Glove Award's fan vote. Rizzo received two more awards this year. In both the American and National Leagues, one of the Silver Sluggers was named; it is given to the best offensive players at each position in the field. It was Rizzo's first time to be honoured with the award. The last one was the MLBPAA Cubs Heart and Hustle Award. It was Rizzo's third time being honoured by the Cubs organization.

Manager Joe Maddon brought the power-hitting Rizzo to the lead-off position in an away game against the New York Mets on June 13. With the Cubs in a season-long slump and playing.500 baseball, Manager Joe Maddon put the Cubs in a season-long slump and playing.500 baseball. The Cubs went 5–2 in the next seven games, while Rizzo hit 4 home runs (3 to lead off a game). Rizzo had reached base in the first inning in his first seven games as a leadoff hitter, becoming the first player to start in his first seven games in over half a century of Major League baseball. During the streak, he had 12 hits in 28 at-bats with 10 RBIs and a.430. In the 2017 All-Star Game, Rizzo came in second second behind Nationals Ryan Zimmerman in a close competition for starting NL first baseman. Rizzo became the fourth Cubs player to reach at least 30 home runs, 30 doubles, and 100 RBIs in three or more seasons, while others were Hack Wilson, Billy Williams, and Sammy Sosa.

He batted.273/.507 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs, a season high. With 24 pitches, he led the majors in hit by pitch.

Rizzo had a rough start to the season. In 37 at-bats, he had one home run in 5 innings, 6 RBIs, and an anemic batting average of.135. Rizzo was named the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for his charity's efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer on October 27. "This is amazing," Rizzo said of winning the award. The best award you can win. In front of everything I've ever done, it will be front and center."

Rizzo was put on the disabled list for the first time in his MLB career on April 10, 2018. Rizzo ranked fourth in Cubs franchise history with 17 home runs during interleague play before a May 23 match against the Cleveland Indians. Rizzo convinced Cubs boss Joe Maddon to let him make his first appearance in his career as a pitcher. On a fly out to center field, A. J. Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks retired A. J. Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rizzo finished his 2018 season with 25 home runs and 101 RBIs in 153 games, and ranked 3rd in the major leagues in hit by pitch, with 20. Rizzo, the Atlanta Braves first baseman, received the award for the second time in his career.

Rizzo hit.293/.405/.520 with 27 home runs and 94 RBIs in 2019. With a pitch of 27. He led the major leagues in times struck by a pitch. He also received his third Gold Glove Award on his record.

Rizzo played in 58 games and finished with a.222/.342/.414 hit line, 11 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in the shortened 2020 season. Rizzo has also received his third Gold Glove Award, his third in a row. The Chicago Cubs picked up Rizzo's last year of his seven-year, $41 million deal, which will pay Rizzo $16.5 million for the 2021 season. Rizzo was one of the Cubs' first players to be traded for under Theo Epstein to help with the rebuild.

Rizzo batted.346/.446 in 92 games for the Chicago Cubs, with 14 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases. In a 10-0 Atlanta victory over the Atlanta Braves on April 28, Rizzo went from first base to pitcher. He took two outs against three batters, including a 3-2 strikeout of Freddie Freeman.

Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees on July 29, 2021, along with cash considerations for Alexander Vizca and Kevin Alcántara.

The Miami Marlins was his first game with the Yankees on July 30. Rizzo made an immediate difference by going 4 for 5 with two plus runs, 2 solo home runs (in both of his two games), 3 walks, and 5 runs overall, becoming the first player in the franchise history to do so. In his first two games, he was the first Yankees player to get on base eight times (including a hit-by-pitch), and he became the seventh Yankee to homer in his first two games.

Rizzo made his first home run against the Baltimore Orioles on August 4, making him the first player in team history to hit RBI in his first 6 games with the Yankees. In his first six games with a new club, Jim Spencer (1973), Jim Wynn (1974), and Bobby Murcer (1977). During a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 30, Rizzo scored his 250th home run. In the sixth inning, starting pitcher Robbie Ray hit it solo. He was the first Yankees player to reach this milestone while playing for the team since Derek Jeter.

The Yankees announced Rizzo to a two-year $32 million contract on March 17, 2022. In each of the first two games of the season, Rizzo made it homer in his first two games and then in that team's first two games of the following season. In a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 26, Rizzo struck three home runs. Rizzo batted for.276 runs, 2 home runs, and 8 RBI's in 29 at bats for the 2022 season.

International career

Rizzo, a Sicilian boy who grew up in Ciminna, Italy, decided to play for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic before the 2013 season.

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