Anthony Rizzo ends up with Cubs homer in Wrigley bleachers
The former Cubs first baseman was back at Wrigley Field for a 2016 World Series celebration when Michael Busch’s homer found him in right field.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Anthony Rizzo came back to Wrigley Field to celebrate one famous Cubs ending, then wound up in the middle of another very Cubs moment.
The former Chicago first baseman was in the right field bleachers Saturday afternoon after the club honored its 2016 World Series championship team, CBS Sports reported. In the first inning against the Minnesota Twins, Cubs hitter Michael Busch sent a home run into that section, and Rizzo ended up with the ball.
MLB shared video of the moment on X, saying Busch’s homer went into the bleachers and Rizzo got it. CBS Sports noted that Rizzo did not appear to make a clean catch of the home run, but was the first person to pick up the ball.
The timing was the whole show. Rizzo was among several members of the 2016 Cubs roster who returned to Wrigley for the celebration of the championship that ended the franchise’s 108-year wait for a World Series title.
During the pregame ceremony, Rizzo wore his jersey from Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, according to MLB and CBS Sports. Speaking to the crowd, he said he hoped to see more titles in his lifetime as a Cubs fan.
“I'm hoping that, in my lifetime now, as a Cubs fan, I see this: There's about five or seven more championships before I die up here,” Rizzo said during the ceremony, in video shared by the Cubs. “So, no pressure.”
Rizzo was central to that 2016 team. CBS Sports reported that he hit 32 home runs that season, finished fourth in National League MVP voting and recorded the final out of the World Series at first base.
After the ceremony, Rizzo and other players from the title team headed to the right field bleachers to spend time with fans, according to CBS Sports. That is where Busch’s first-inning drive found its way to the former Cub.
It was not Rizzo’s first close encounter with a Wrigley bleacher souvenir after a Cubs tribute. CBS Sports reported that after the team honored him following his retirement last September, he went out to the bleachers and nearly came away with Moisés Ballesteros’ first major league home run.
The 2016 championship remains one of the defining moments in Cubs history. Before beating Cleveland in that World Series, Chicago had not won it all since consecutive championships in 1907 and 1908, according to CBS Sports.
This year’s Cubs entered Saturday’s game against Minnesota at 54-43, CBS Sports reported. The club had dealt with a stretch earlier in the month in which a full 13-man pitching staff was on the injured list, and still came into the day six games behind in the NL Central while holding the first wild card spot.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.