This week's MLBoyfriend did not play at all last week. In fact, he hasn't played all season. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to celebrate an MLBoyfriend favorite on last time.
Anthony Rizzo officially retired as a player last week. While the last roster he was on was the 2024 Yankees (more on that later), Rizzo retired as a Chicago Cub--which is as it should be.
Internet algorithms know what they are doing. My feeds have been full of Rizzo for the last few days. Let's take a look at some highlights of his retirement via Instagram. First, Rizzo literally wore his heart on his sleeve by wearing a jersey signed by children who have battled cancer.
Rizzo did not go to the executive suite to watch the game after the ceremony. Instead, he head to the bleachers for what has rightly been called "Retirement-Palooza".
Rizzo's buddy, Ian Happ, threw a ball to Tony with a note and beer money.
The Cubs' Moisés Ballesteros hit his first career home runs, and Rizzo almost caught it. (Click through for video.)
Finally, during the seventh inning stretch, Rizzo sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" with Cindy Crawford and Eddie Vedder of all people. Crawford and Vedder are from the Chicago area and Cubs fans, but still... so random. (Click through for video.)
An "adult beverage" fueled good time was had by all.
Rizzo is retiring with a Hall-of-Fame-worthy record. He has a very respectable career batting average of .261 and an equally good career OPS of .828. In 13 years playing in the MLB, he had 1644 hits, 922 runs, 303 home runs and 965 RBI. He's a 3 time All-Star. In terms of awards, he won 4 Golden Gloves (including one Platinum Glove), 1 Silver Slugger, 1 National League Defensive Player Of The Year, and, most impressively, the Roberto Clemente Award. And there was that time Rizzo made the final out in the Cubs' first World Series win in 108 years.
Of course, here at MLBoyfriend, Rizzo has another quality that has earned him this retirement post: he's totally adorable. Even after a few "adult beverages" in the bleachers, he was looking good.
And, while he did fill out Yankees Pinstripes very nicely...
...It was great to see Rizzo retired in the uniform he looks best in: The Cubbies.
Congratulations, Anthony Rizzo! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.
