Former Chicago Cubs star Anthony Rizzo is completing the second year of his retirement from Major League Baseball, and he explained on “Ross and Rizzo Unfiltered” why he made the decision to step away from game after playing 14 years in the Big Leagues.
He said the main impetus for his decision came in the final months of the 2024 season as he considered what it would take to come back and play in 2025 at an elite level. “For what it would take to come back and play at an elite level, I knew that just wasn't going to happen and I couldn't do that.
“Do I miss playing? I missed it on Opening Day this year. For about four pitches. But then I saw all the 100 miles per hour fastballs, and I knew that wasn't going to happen.”
Rizzo was a key member of the 2016 Cubs team that broke the team's 108-year World Series drought. He was a three-time All-Star, a 4-time Gold Glove winner. He also won a Silver Slugger Award as well as the Roberto Clemente Award.
Article Continues BelowRizzo had a string of four consecutive seasons in which he had more than 100 runs batted in. He had 101 RBI in 2014, 109 RBIs the next two years and 101 in 2018. He was known for his clutch hitting in the middle of the Cubs lineup as well as his great defensive skills.
Rizzo played with the Cubs from 2011 through 2021 and he finished his career after four seasons with the New York Yankees. He finished his career with 303 home runs and 965 RBI.