CHICAGO — Anthony Rizzo received a hero’s welcome in his first trip back to Wrigley Field.
It was an emotional and nostalgic day for the veteran first baseman who helped the Cubs win their first World Series championship in 108 years in 2016.
In his first time back since being traded to the Yankees in 2021, the Cubs played a tribute video before the game, which was followed by a thunderous ovation and Rizzo’s tearing up as he took the field to salute the crowd of 40,101.
“Just grateful, amazing,” Rizzo said. “It was a great moment and something I’ll remember forever and cherish forever. Obviously all the time here was special, but to be able to come back and share that moment and have Emily, my wife, and my family on the field was something I’ll never forget.”
Another standing ovation came as Rizzo walked to the plate for his first at-bat in the second inning, with the Cubs playing his old walk-up song (“Intoxicated”) that got the crowd going again.
On the ride to Wrigley, Rizzo looked out the bus window and noticed a choppy Lake Michigan, which he knew meant the wind would be blowing in during the game.
Then when he arrived, he was met by former clubhouse attendants and Cubs personnel.
On the field pregame, there was a large group wearing yellow T-shirts for the work Rizzo (a cancer survivor himself) did with pediatric cancer patients when he played here.
Rizzo and his wife visited Lurie’s Children’s Hospital on the off day Thursday and his contributions there were also highlighted during the tribute video.
“It was awesome, definitely emotional,” manager Aaron Boone said. “You could see Anthony’s emotions when he came out after the video, which they did a great job with. To see the fan base just really be excited to see him — and then I thought Anthony went out and played well.”
Rizzo — who said before the game that he hopes to retire as a Yankee — went 1-for-3 with a walk and made a few sharp defensive plays at first base.
“I want to soak it up all weekend,” he said. “I just hope we win. That’s the biggest thing — September baseball, we’re trying to get on track and get hot. We’re in a good position.”
Austin Wells, playing in his first game since Monday when he took a 95 mph fastball off his right hand, delivered a two-run single in the third inning while catching a combined one-hitter.
“Good to get him back and good to see him impact us on both sides of the ball,” Boone said.
Ian Hamilton is set to be activated off the injured list Saturday after missing the last two and a half months with a lat strain. … After Friday’s game, the Yankees optioned Ron Marinaccio to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
They will have to open one more roster spot Saturday to make room for both Hamilton and Clarke Schmidt, who will be activated off the IL to start against the Cubs.
After the Yankees optioned Scott Effross back to Triple-A on Thursday, Boone left the door open for him to return this season.
“The one thing I told him is, there’s still a chance we get him back,” Boone said. “But I feel like the last month’s gotten a lot better for him and he’s healthy now and pitching and that’s important.”
