NEW YORK — Former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo says his move to New York was the most important moment of his career, even more than winning a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
Rizzo, who spent more than nine seasons in Chicago before being dealt to the Yankees at the July 2021 trade deadline, called the trade “the best thing that ever happened to me” in a recent interview.
“In New York, you expect to win every single year,” Rizzo said. “Those pinstripes carry more weight than any uniform. It’s pressure and pride all in one.”
Trade to New York brought instant impact
The Yankees acquired Rizzo from the Cubs on July 29, 2021, in exchange for prospects Kevin Alcántara and Alexander Vizcaíno. The move gave New York a veteran left-handed bat with championship experience at a time when the team was pushing for a playoff spot.
Rizzo wasted no time making an impression. He homered in each of his first two games, becoming the first player in franchise history to do so. His arrival helped spark a 13-game winning streak in August, the club’s longest in more than 60 years.
He finished the 2021 regular season with a .249 average, eight home runs, and 21 RBIs in 49 games for the Yankees, adding a steady glove at first base. New York reached the American League Wild Card Game, where Rizzo homered in the loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Establishing himself in the clubhouse
Rizzo re-signed with the Yankees on a two-year deal in March 2022, bringing leadership and stability to a roster headlined by Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, and Gerrit Cole.
In 2022, he hit 32 home runs — his highest total since 2017 — and drove in 75 runs while posting an .817 OPS. His defense earned praise from pitchers and infielders alike, with Rizzo routinely saving errors with scoops and stretches at first base.
The Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series that season, with Rizzo hitting .276 in the postseason. He also served as one of Judge’s closest friends on the team, often seen in the dugout and on road trips alongside the eventual AL MVP.
Injuries derail Rizzo’s promising start
Rizzo’s Yankees tenure took a turn in May 2023 when a collision with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff play at first base left him with a concussion. He continued to play for two months but struggled at the plate, hitting just .172 during that span.
He was eventually diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in early August and shut down for the rest of the season. The injury ended what had been another solid start, as he entered June hitting .304 with 11 home runs.
The following year brought more setbacks. In May 2024, Rizzo fractured his right forearm in a collision with Boston Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino while diving back to first base. After returning from the injury in August, he was hit by a pitch that fractured multiple fingers on his left hand, further cutting short his season.
He finished the year with a .223 batting average, eight home runs, and 28 RBIs over just 70 games.
Yankees decline option for 2025
On November 4, 2024, the Yankees declined Rizzo’s $17 million club option for the 2025 season, instead paying a $6 million buyout. The move ended his tenure in the Bronx after parts of four seasons.
In 371 games for New York, Rizzo batted .239 with 64 home runs and 194 RBIs. He posted a .789 OPS and continued to play strong defense, committing only 11 errors at first base during his Yankees career.
Chicago ties remain strong
Despite embracing the pressure of New York, Rizzo’s bond with Chicago remains deep. In September 2024, when the Yankees visited Wrigley Field for an interleague series, the Cubs honored him with a tribute video. Fans gave him multiple standing ovations, and Rizzo acknowledged the reception after the game.
“It’s something I’ll remember forever. I’ll cherish forever,” Rizzo said.
Rizzo spent 9½ years in Chicago, earning three All-Star selections, four Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger Award, and a Roberto Clemente Award. He helped lead the Cubs to the 2016 World Series title, ending the franchise’s 108-year championship drought.
Still seeking next opportunity
As of August 2025, Rizzo remains unsigned in free agency. The 35-year-old has said he intends to continue playing.
“I want to play. I want to win,” the ex-Yankees star said earlier this year. “I still love the game.”
His career totals include a .261 batting average, 303 home runs, and 965 RBIs across 14 seasons with the Padres, Cubs, and Yankees.
Rizzo recently praised Aaron Judge, saying he believes the Yankees captain will win another American League MVP Award this season. “To do what he does in New York, year in and year out, he’s carried that team for years,” the former Yankees first baseman said.
Whether Rizzo lands with another contender or calls it a career, his years in New York were marked by leadership, resilience, and the ability to handle one of baseball’s most challenging stages.
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