History of Anthony Rizzo in Timeline
Anthony Vincent Rizzo is an American professional baseball player. He is a first baseman and currently plays for the New York Yankees. He has also played for the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs.
1908: The Last Championship
The Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series victory marked their first championship since 1908, ending a long-standing drought for the franchise.
1945: Ending the Drought
In 1945, the Chicago Cubs made their last World Series appearance before their championship run in 2016.
1973: Joining Elite Company
In 1973, Jim Spencer became one of four MLB players to achieve RBIs in their first six games with a new team, a feat later matched by Anthony Rizzo in 2021.
1974: Another One Joins the Club
Jim Wynn joined a select group of MLB players in 1974 by achieving RBIs in his first six games with a new team, a feat Anthony Rizzo would later replicate in 2021.
1977: Murcer Makes History
Bobby Murcer etched his name in MLB history in 1977 by becoming one of four players to record RBIs in each of his first six games with a new team. Anthony Rizzo would later accomplish the same feat in 2021.
August 1983: Mel Hall's Impressive Rookie Season
Mel Hall hit nine home runs for the Chicago Cubs in August 1983.
1988: Roberto Alomar Debuts with the Padres
Roberto Alomar debuted with the Padres in 1988.
August 8, 1989: Birth of Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Vincent Rizzo was born on August 8, 1989.
2007: Rizzo Begins Minor League Career
At age 17, Anthony Rizzo began his minor league career, playing for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2007.
2007: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox
In 2007, Anthony Rizzo was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
April 2008: Diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma
In April 2008, Anthony Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin lymphoma and began six months of chemotherapy.
September 2, 2008: Rizzo in Remission
On September 2, 2008, Anthony Rizzo's doctor informed him that he was in remission from Hodgkin lymphoma, though he still had six weeks of treatment remaining.
2008: Rizzo Plays Class A Baseball
At 18 years old, Rizzo played in Class A with the Greenville Drive in 2008.
December 6, 2010: Traded to the San Diego Padres
On December 6, 2010, Anthony Rizzo was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez.
2010: Traded to the San Diego Padres
In 2010, he was traded to the San Diego Padres.
2010: Rizzo's Breakout Season
Rizzo had a breakout season in 2010, improving his hitting and power numbers.
May 2011: Possible Major League Debut Delayed
In May 2011, there was discussion about Rizzo's Major League debut being delayed due to cost considerations.
June 9, 2011: MLB Debut
Anthony Rizzo made his MLB debut on June 9, 2011 against the Washington Nationals.
July 21, 2011: Demoted to Triple-A
Rizzo was demoted back to Triple-A on July 21, 2011.
December 2011: Yonder Alonso Acquired by Padres
The San Diego Padres acquired Yonder Alonso in December 2011.
2011: MLB Debut with the San Diego Padres
Rizzo made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 2011.
January 6, 2012: Traded to the Chicago Cubs
On January 6, 2012, the San Diego Padres traded Anthony Rizzo to the Chicago Cubs.
2012: Traded to the Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2012.
2012: Foundation Established
In 2012, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was founded to benefit cancer research and families fighting the disease.
2012: Rizzo Starts Season in Triple-A
Rizzo began the 2012 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
2012: Rizzo Expected to Start at First Base
Rizzo was expected to be the starting first baseman for the Padres in 2012.
May 12, 2013: Signs Contract Extension with the Cubs
On May 12, 2013, Rizzo agreed to a seven-year, $41 million contract extension with the Chicago Cubs.
2014: First All-Star Game Selection
Rizzo was selected to his first All-Star game in 2014.
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: 100 Home Runs and 300 RBIs
On September 8, 2015, Anthony Rizzo hit his 100th career home run and his 300th career RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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.
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
On December 11, 2016, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation's 5th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer raised more than $500,000, and Broward County proclaimed it Anthony Rizzo Day.
2016: Wins World Series with the Chicago Cubs
In 2016, Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.
June 1, 2017: Proposed to Emily Vakos
On June 1, 2017, Anthony Rizzo proposed to his girlfriend Emily Vakos. They had met during Cubs spring training in Arizona in 2016.
August 2017: Donation 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 total donations to the hospital to more than $4 million.
December 3, 2017: 6th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer
On December 3, 2017, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation's 6th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer raised $960,000 for cancer research and support.
February 15, 2018: Speech at Parkland Vigil
On February 15, 2018, Anthony Rizzo delivered an emotional speech at the vigil for school shooting victims in Parkland, Florida, where he graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
April 10, 2018: First Trip to the DL
On April 10, 2018, Anthony Rizzo was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his MLB career due to a back injury.
December 2, 2018: 7th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer
On December 2, 2018, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation's 7th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer raised $1.1 million for cancer research and support.
December 29, 2018: Married Emily Vakos
On December 29, 2018, Anthony Rizzo married Emily Vakos, with teammate Kris Bryant serving as one of the groomsmen.
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 over $1.35 million.
January 16, 2020: 6th Annual Laugh-Off for Cancer
On January 16, 2020, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation raised nearly $500,000 during its 6th Annual Laugh-Off for Cancer.
February 2020: Donation to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
In February 2020, Anthony Rizzo donated $150,000 to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to fund lights for its baseball and softball fields, which were renamed 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: Cubs Pick Up Rizzo's Option
After the 2020 season, the Cubs picked up Anthony Rizzo's option, securing him for the 2021 season.
2021: Final Year With the Cubs
Anthony Rizzo played his final season with the Chicago Cubs in 2021 after the team picked up his option.
2021: Traded to the New York Yankees
Anthony Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees in 2021.
March 17, 2022: New York Yankees
On March 17, 2022, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the New York Yankees.
November 7, 2022: Opting Out
Anthony Rizzo opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees on November 7, 2022, becoming a free agent.
November 15, 2022: Rizzo Signed Two-Year Contract
On November 15, 2022, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year contract with an option for the 2025 season.
2022: Signs with the New York Yankees
After becoming a free agent, Rizzo signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees in 2022.
May 28, 2023: Neck Injury During Game
On May 28, 2023, during a game against the San Diego Padres, Anthony Rizzo was injured when Fernando Tatís Jr. knocked him to the ground. This resulted in Rizzo leaving the game with a neck injury.
