CHICAGO — Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo is retiring from Major League Baseball and has been named an ambassador for the club.

The team will honor him Saturday on the field during their 1:20 p.m. game against the Rays.

Rizzo will go down as one of the most beloved players in Cubs history and was the first cornerstone of the rebuild that brought the 2016 World Series.

He was traded to the team from San Diego on Jan. 6, 2012 for pitcher Andrew Cashner and minor league outfielder Kyung-Min Na.

Rizzo made his Cubs debut in 2012, less than a year after getting called up with San Diego, and made an instant impact. That offseason, Theo and company signed #44 to a 7-year, $41 million dollar contact.

In 2014, Rizzo began crowding the plate more and unlocked even more offense. He finished the season second in the NL with homers and of course first in being hit by a pitch.

Rizzo, known also from how charitable he is for the fight against children’s cancer, received the most fan votes in the 2016 All-Star Game. Of course a few months later on a Wednesday night in Cleveland, he caught the final out of the World Series and instantly put the ball in his pocket.

“Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said. “His play on the field spoke for itself and was recognized with multiple All-Star appearances, Gold Glove Awards, the Roberto Clemente Award and, ultimately, being a team leader on the 2016 World Series championship team. Who could forget Anthony catching Kris Bryant’s throw from third base for the final out that clinched the series?

In addition, he was an inspiration to so many off the field through his foundation and his work with cancer research. Anthony’s professional career on the field might be complete, but it will be great to share this next chapter with him here with the Cubs. On behalf of the Cubs organization, we all congratulate Anthony for a memorable and successful playing career. We know the best is yet to come for him, his wife, Emily, and their family. We look forward to their rejoining our Cubs family as we create new memories for fans.”

Rizzo has supported Lurie Children’s Hospital and other organizations through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation with his time, fundraising and more.

He knows better than most the perils of cancer — he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008 as a Red Sox prospect and went through months of chemotherapy. His future friend and teammate at the time, Jon Lester, connected with Rizzo to let him know he wasn’t alone as he also battled cancer.

He hasn’t just helped children battling a horrible disease. When tragedy struck his alma mater Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, he made a substantial donation following the mass shooting that left 17 dead.

Many Cubs fans will never forget the 2021 trade deadline, where Rizzo was dealt to New York along with stars Javy Baez and Kris Bryant getting traded as well.

He was recently on Johnny Manziel’s podcast and said he had opportunities to play this season but knew he could get traded at the deadline with his son on the way.

Rizzo and his wife Emily gave birth to a son this year after announcing the news in January. The couple was married in 2018.

Talking about the infamous “curse,” he told Manziel the only time he possibly believed it was when Raja Davis hit a home run to tie the World Series in Game 7.

Rizzo continued to support childhood cancer initiatives during his time in New York and put up a great year with the Bronx Bombers in 2022.

He battled injuries during last year with the Yankees and wasn’t brought back to the club this offseason.

Rizzo retires as a member of the Cubs, the club announced.

He joins other Cubs ambassadors including Andre Dawson, Ryan Dempster, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist. In memoriam ambassadors include Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo. 

Rizzo ends his MLB career with 303 home runs (242 with Cubs) and a slash line of .261/.361/.467.