Anthony Rizzo Celebrates at Yankee Stadium One Night Before Retirement Announcement
Former Yankees first baseman chugged a beer on the Jumbotron while attending a Sept. 9 game with his wife and infant; Cubs announced he will retire as a member of the organization and serve as an ambassador.
Anthony Rizzo was shown on the Yankee Stadium Jumbotron chugging a Bud Light while attending Tuesday’s game with his wife and infant — a night before the Chicago Cubs announced he will retire as a member of the organization and join the team as an ambassador.
Rizzo, who watched the New York Yankees’ 12-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 9, 2025, was accompanied by his wife, Emily Vakos, and the couple’s son. The moment drew attention from fans and social media as the former first baseman raised and emptied the can during the broadcast.
The Cubs announced Wednesday that Rizzo is retiring as a member of the team and will remain with the organization in an ambassadorial role. Rizzo became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $17 million option for the 2025 season and paid him a $6 million buyout. He played for New York from 2021 through 2024.
Rizzo’s major league career included a decade with the Chicago Cubs after they acquired him from the San Diego Padres in 2012. He was a three-time All-Star, won four Gold Glove Awards and was a member of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team, when he led the club with 109 RBIs.
Rizzo and Vakos announced in January 2025 that they were expecting their first child together, posting ultrasound photos and a onesie showing a June 2025 due date. The couple, who met while Rizzo was with the Cubs, were engaged in June 2017 and married in December 2018. Their son was born this summer, though the couple did not publicly announce the birth.
Rizzo’s transition to an ambassadorial role follows a career that combined defensive accolades with run production. He finished his time in Chicago as a cornerstone of the franchise’s recent history, including his leadership during the 2016 championship season. His tenure with the Yankees included two seasons in pinstripes before the club opted not to pick up his 2025 contract option.
The Cubs did not immediately provide details on Rizzo’s duties as an ambassador or a timetable for any formal ceremonies, and the team’s announcement did not specify whether a formal retirement night would take place at Wrigley Field or another venue. Rizzo’s appearance at Yankee Stadium was one of his last public moments as an active player, and his shift into a front-facing role with the Cubs marks the next chapter in his long association with the franchise.