The Chicago Cubs today traded Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees, a trade nobody saw coming until it was done.
The official announcement from the team captured the somber tone well enough:
The #Cubs today acquired minor league RHP Alexander Vizcaíno and minor league OF Kevin Alcántara from the Yankees for 1B Anthony Rizzo and a cash consideration. pic.twitter.com/R4FfgNDeTY
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 30, 2021
There will be reactions and stories and tidbits for a long time, so I’m not pretending to capture them all here tonight. There were just a bunch of things I wanted to share, so I quickly bundled them up here.
Hearing from the man, himself, with a lot of emotion baked into his comments, even as he has always held his composure so firmly:
“The best years of my life have been in Chicago.”
Anthony Rizzo on his time with the @Cubs. pic.twitter.com/myxKOIOHjK
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 30, 2021
“I love you guys.”
Anthony Rizzo has a message to @Cubs fans.
Watch: https://t.co/2DXazJLwBZ pic.twitter.com/7vAX2DQuzA
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 30, 2021
Anthony Rizzo, on getting the news of the trade to the Yankees… pic.twitter.com/FJkekTraC0
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 30, 2021
Anthony Rizzo and family walk out of Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/Z3pg2TGgqW
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) July 30, 2021
A final tour around Wrigley:
The Rizzos are walking around Wrigley Field, getting some final photos here. pic.twitter.com/8Bpr3WprVf
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 29, 2021
The tribute video, which I got halfway through before having to pause:
To @ARizzo44, the heart and soul of the greatest Cubs team of all time.
For all you’ve done on the field and for all you do off it.
Thank you. #TeamRizzo pic.twitter.com/1OQPagPHSo
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 30, 2021
Some of the moments that immediately came to mind for me, though there are dozens:
He caught the ball. THE ball. The most important ball in Cubs history. pic.twitter.com/XNR6Kwf0Pt
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 29, 2021
When he became The Captain. pic.twitter.com/Lo80T7m3c5
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 29, 2021
The greatest pitcher in baseball history. pic.twitter.com/UrZXoqURCo
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 30, 2021
From Rizzo’s teammates:
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Anthony Rizzo that’s the tweet.. pic.twitter.com/YuKR5GQdsT
— Adbert Alzolay (@adbert29) July 30, 2021