Anthony Rizzo Collects Home Run Ball at Wrigley Field

Rizzo Returns to Celebrate 2016 Champions

Anthony Rizzo made a special appearance at Wrigley Field over the weekend to mark the 10‑year anniversary of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series title. After greeting the original championship squad on Saturday, he took a seat in the right‑field bleachers to watch his former teammates take on the Minnesota Twins. The celebration turned into a memorable baseball moment just minutes into the game.

Home Run Turns Fans Into Celebration

In the bottom of the first inning, Michael Busch launched an inside fastball from Twins pitcher Taj Bradley deep into the right‑field seats for a home run. Rizzo, who was holding his nearly two‑year‑old son in his left arm, reached down and scooped up the ball. He lifted the souvenir high as the crowd erupted in cheers for one of their all‑time favorites.

The play took a quirky turn when another fan tried to catch the fly ball, only to see it ricochet off his mitt. Despite the mishap, the fan seemed satisfied with the outcome after watching Rizzo secure the prize. Bush, who now guards first base for the Cubs, once occupied the same infield spot as Rizzo for a decade, adding a nostalgic layer to the scene.

Second Lucky Play in Under a Year

This was the second time in less than twelve months that Rizzo found himself on the receiving end of a home run at Wrigley Field. On September 13, 2025, the former catcher retired formally as a Cub after 14 MLB seasons and settled into the left‑field bleachers. In the second inning of that contest against the Tampa Bay Rays, Moisés Ballesteros hit his first career home run straight into the seats, right where Rizzo was sitting.

Although a fan behind Rizzo caught the ball, the moment still delighted everyone in the stands as a beloved ex‑Cub player was directly connected to the historic hit. The back‑to‑back incidents underscored how deeply Rizzo remains woven into the fabric of Cubs fandom.

Career Highlights with the Cubs

During his decade with Chicago, Rizzo posted a .272/.372/.489 slash line, collecting 242 home runs and driving in 784 runs. He earned three All‑Star nods and claimed four Gold Glove awards for his defensive work. His standout 2016 season featured a .292/.385/.544 line, 32 homers, 43 doubles, and 109 RBI.

• 10 seasons, 242 HR, 784 RBI, .272/.372/.489 slash
• Three All‑Star appearances, four Gold Gloves
• 2016: .292/.385/.544, 32 HR, 43 doubles, 109 RBI

The Cubs captured the NL Central with a 103‑58‑1 record that year, swept the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason, and clinched the World Series in a dramatic seven‑game thriller over the Cleveland Guardians. The championship victory, sealed by an 8‑7, 10‑inning win in Game 7, was relived by fans during Rizzo’s recent visit.

What It Means for Fans

Rizzo’s return sparked a wave of nostalgia, reminding supporters of the era that delivered a long‑overdue title. Witnessing a former captain interact with the team’s history turned a routine home run into a community celebration. The moments also highlight how legends can turn ordinary games into lasting stories for the next generation of Cubs fans.

As the Cubs continue their pursuit of new milestones, Rizzo’s blend of on‑field achievement and fan engagement remains a benchmark for what it means to wear the cu​rtain‑raising **C** patch.