History of Anthony Rizzo in Timeline

Anthony Rizzo is a professional baseball first baseman who has played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees in MLB. He is currently a free agent.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1908: First World Series title since 1908

In 2016, Anthony Rizzo helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.

1945: First World Series appearance since 1945

In 2016, Anthony Rizzo led the Cubs to their first World Series appearance since 1945.

August 1983: Mel Hall's Nine Homers

Mel Hall hit nine homers in August 1983 for the Cubs.

August 8, 1989: Anthony Rizzo's Birth

On August 8, 1989, Anthony Vincent Rizzo, a professional baseball first baseman, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2007: Drafted by the Red Sox

In 2007, Anthony Rizzo was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the MLB draft, becoming a top minor league prospect.

April 2008: Diagnosis with Hodgkin Lymphoma

In April 2008, Anthony Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy for six months.

September 2, 2008: In Remission

On September 2, 2008, Anthony Rizzo's doctor informed him that he was in remission from Hodgkin's lymphoma, although he still had six weeks of treatment and follow-up testing to complete.

2008: Plays for Greenville Drive

In 2008, at the age of 18, Rizzo played in class A with the Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League, hitting .373 in 83 at bats.

2009: Hit 12 Home Runs

In 2009, Anthony Rizzo hit 12 home runs.

December 6, 2010: Trade to Padres

On December 6, 2010, Anthony Rizzo was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Casey Kelly, Reymond Fuentes, and Eric Patterson for Adrián González.

2010: Traded to the San Diego Padres

After the 2010 season, Rizzo was traded to the San Diego Padres along with other prospects in exchange for Adrián González.

2010: Minor League Success

In 2010, Anthony Rizzo had a successful minor league season, hitting .260 with 25 home runs and 100 RBIs, attributing his improved power to adjustments in his swing.

May 2011: Potential Delay in MLB Debut

In May 2011, despite Rizzo's strong performance in Triple-A, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres might delay his MLB debut due to financial considerations and his limited experience.

June 9, 2011: MLB Debut with Padres

On June 9, 2011, Anthony Rizzo made his major league debut for the San Diego Padres against the Washington Nationals, recording a triple and scoring a run in a 7-3 victory.

July 21, 2011: Demoted to Triple-A

On July 21, 2011, Anthony Rizzo was demoted back to Triple-A after struggling with a .143 batting average in the majors.

December 2011: Acquisition of Yonder Alonso

In December 2011, the Padres acquired Yonder Alonso, which moved him ahead of Rizzo on the team's depth chart.

2011: MLB Debut with San Diego Padres

In 2011, Anthony Rizzo made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Diego Padres.

January 6, 2012: Traded to Chicago Cubs

On January 6, 2012, Anthony Rizzo, along with Zach Cates, was traded by the San Diego Padres to the Chicago Cubs for Andrew Cashner and Kyung-Min Na.

2012: Future with the Padres

At the end of the 2011 season it was believed that Anthony Rizzo would be the starting first baseman for the Padres in 2012.

2012: Season with Triple-A Iowa Cubs

In 2012, Anthony Rizzo started the season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, excelling in the minor leagues before being recalled by the Cubs on June 26.

2012: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

In 2012, Rizzo was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he developed into an All-Star player.

2012: Founding of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation

In 2012, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was founded as a non-profit organization to benefit cancer research and families fighting the disease.

May 12, 2013: Signs contract with Cubs

On May 12, 2013, Anthony Rizzo agreed to a seven-year, $41 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

2013: World Baseball Classic

In 2013, Anthony Rizzo chose to play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic before the MLB season because his family originated in the Sicilian town of Ciminna.

2014: All-Star Game Appearance

In 2014, Anthony Rizzo made his first appearance in the All-Star Game, marking the beginning of three consecutive All-Star selections.

May 15, 2015: 3rd Annual Cook-Off For Cancer

On May 15, 2015, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 3rd Annual Cook-Off For Cancer and raised more than $270,000.

September 8, 2015: 100th Career Home Run

On September 8, 2015, Anthony Rizzo hit his 100th career home run and 300th RBI against Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha.

November 15, 2015: 4th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer

On November 15, 2015, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 4th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer and raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research and support.

June 2, 2016: 4th Annual Cook-Off For Cancer

On June 2, 2016, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 4th Annual Cook-Off For Cancer and raised more than $630,000.

December 11, 2016: 5th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer and Anthony Rizzo Day

On December 11, 2016, The Anthony Rizzo Foundation's 5th annual Walk-Off for Cancer raised more than $500,000. Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine proclaimed the day as Anthony Rizzo Day in Broward County, and Rizzo's high school retired his jersey.

2016: World Series Title with the Cubs

In 2016, Anthony Rizzo won a World Series title with the Chicago Cubs, adding to his list of accolades including the Silver Slugger Award, Gold Glove Award, and Roberto Clemente Award.

2016: Awards and World Series Win

In 2016, Anthony Rizzo won a World Series title, a Gold Glove Award, Esurance MLB Awards and a Silver Slugger Award.

June 1, 2017: Engagement to Emily Vakos

On June 1, 2017, Anthony Rizzo proposed to his girlfriend, Emily Vakos.

August 2017: $3.5 Million Gift to Lurie Children's Hospital

In August 2017, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation announced a $3.5 million gift to the Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, bringing its total donations to the hospital to over $4 million.

December 3, 2017: 6th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer

On December 3, 2017, Anthony Rizzo and his foundation hosted its 6th annual Walk-Off for Cancer and raised $960,000 for families battling cancer, benefitting Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and providing grants to families.

2017: Rizzo as Lead-off Hitter

In 2017, the Cubs manager put Anthony Rizzo into the lead-off spot. On September 2, Rizzo became the fourth Cubs players to hit at least 30 home runs, 30 doubles, and 100 RBIs in three or more seasons.

2017: Roberto Clemente Award

On October 27, 2017, Anthony Rizzo was named as the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for his charity's work to find a cure for childhood cancer.

February 15, 2018: Speech at Parkland Vigil and Donation

On February 15, 2018, Anthony Rizzo delivered an emotional speech at the vigil for the school shooting victims in Parkland, Florida. He met with survivors and helped donate $305,000 to the National Compassion Fund.

April 10, 2018: First Time on Disabled List

On April 10, 2018, Anthony Rizzo was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his MLB career due to a back issue.

December 2, 2018: 7th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer

On December 2, 2018, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted the 7th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer, raising $1.1 million for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and families battling cancer.

December 29, 2018: Marriage to Emily Vakos

On December 29, 2018, Anthony Rizzo married Emily Vakos, with teammate Kris Bryant serving as one of the groomsmen.

2018: Gold Glove Award

In 2018, Anthony Rizzo received his second Gold Glove Award.

May 27, 2019: 7th Annual Cook-Off For Cancer

On May 27, 2019, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 7th Annual Cook-Off For Cancer and raised $1.8 million for cancer patients and their families.

November 24, 2019: 8th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer

On November 24, 2019, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 8th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer and raised more than $1.35 million.

2019: Third Gold Glove Award

In 2019, Anthony Rizzo received his third career Gold Glove Award.

January 16, 2020: 6th Annual Laugh-Off for Cancer

On January 16, 2020, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation raised close to $500,000 to help families battling cancer during its 6th Annual Laugh-Off for Cancer.

February 2020: $150,000 Donation to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

In February 2020, Anthony Rizzo donated $150,000 to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to help pay for the school's lights for its baseball and softball fields. His high school unveiled the new baseball field which will be known as Anthony Rizzo Field.

November 15, 2020: 9th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer

On November 15, 2020, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 9th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer and raised more than $850,000.

2020: Adoption of Kevin

In 2020, Anthony Rizzo and his wife Emily adopted a dog named Kevin.

2020: 2020 Season Statistics and Gold Glove Award

In 2020, Anthony Rizzo played 58 games with a .222/.342/.414 hit line, 11 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. Rizzo also received his fourth Gold Glove Award. The Chicago Cubs picked up Rizzo's last year of his contract after the season ended.

July 29, 2021: Trade to the New York Yankees

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

2021: Traded to the New York Yankees

During the 2021 season, Anthony Rizzo was traded by the Cubs to the New York Yankees.

2021: Move from Chicago

In 2021, Anthony Rizzo and his wife moved out of their Chicago apartment of seven years after Rizzo was traded.

2021: Contract Details for 2021 Season

In 2021, Anthony Rizzo's seven-year, $41 million contract paid him $16.5 million for the season. He was one of the first players the Cubs traded for under Theo Epstein to help kick off the rebuild.

March 17, 2022: Signing with the Yankees

On March 17, 2022, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year $32 million contract with the Yankees. He hit a home run in each of the first two games of the season, becoming only the second player in the modern era to achieve this feat with a new team, and again in that team's first two games the following season.

November 7, 2022: Free Agency

On November 7, 2022, Anthony Rizzo exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and became a free agent.

November 15, 2022: Rizzo Signs Two-Year Contract

On November 15, 2022, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year, $40 million contract with an option for the 2025 season.

2022: Signed with the Yankees

Following the 2022 season as a free agent, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees, including a club option for a third year.

June 18, 2024: Injured List Placement

On June 18, 2024, Anthony Rizzo was placed on the injured list after suffering a broken arm in a collision with Boston Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino.

2025: Yankees Decline Option

After the Yankees lost the 2024 World Series, the Yankees declined Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option for the 2025 season, paying him a $6 million buyout, making him a free agent.