Anthony Rizzo announced his retirement from racing last September: after 14 seasons in the Majors, culminating with the World Series won in 2016 among the Chicago Cubs and the final of the World Series reached in 2024 when he defended the colors of the New York Yankees, one of the most famous players of the last decade had decided to hang up his glove. The 36-year-old finished with 1,308 MLB games (1,303 of which as first base), a .261 batting average and 303 home runs, along with three All-Star Game appearances and four Gold Gloves.
Four months after the announced stop, however, Anthony Rizzo could be very close to returning! According to what was reported by the accredited Bruce Levine (WSCR-AM journalist) and also relaunched by the Spanish newspaper Markthe first baseman could represent Italy at the 2026 World Baseball Classicscheduled from March 5 to 17. It would be an impressive return for the Parkland native, who he wore the blue jacket already in the 2013 WBC (4 hits in 17 rounds and 6 RBI), when Italy lost against the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of group 2 and then in the first repechage round against Puerto Rico.
Ned Colletti, general manager of the Italian national team, declared: “Even if it was just as a backup hitter or something like that, I would love to have him with us.”. We remember that Rizzo, who played his last game in MLB in 20924 with the Yankees (game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers) has Italian origins thanks to his grandparents, originally from Ciminna (province of Palermo). The final decision will depend on Rizzo and his desire to close his career with one last international chapterwe will know more in the coming weeks.
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