American professional baseball player Anthony Rizzo. He is a first baseman with the “Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball” (MLB). He was chosen by the San Diego Padres as the sixth pick overall in the 2007 MLB Draft and 2011 saw him make his MLB debut with them. After the 2010 season, The San Diego Padres acquired him in a trade from the “Boston Red Sox,” who had originally picked him.
In 2012, he was dealt to the “Cubs” once more. In his first five games, Rizzo became the first “Chicago Cubs” player to have three game-winning RBIs (runs batted in). He agreed to a 7-year, $41 million contract with the “Cubs” in 2013. He represented Italy in the World Baseball Classic that same year. He participated in his first “All-Star” game in 2014. He has also been an “All-Star” three times. He has won numerous awards, including the “Silver Slugger Award,” “Gold Glove Award,” and “Platinum Glove Award.” After a century, the “Cubs” finally won the “World Series” in 2016 with his team’s assistance.
Quick Facts:
Girlfriend: Emily Vakos
Age: 33 Years, 33-Year-Old Males
Also Known As Anthony Vincent Rizzo
Family:
Father: John Rizzo
Ancestry: Italian American
U.S. State: Florida
Mother: Laurie Rizzo
Diseases & Disabilities: Hodgkin Lymphoma
Childhood & Early Life:
John and Laurie Rizzo welcomed Anthony Vincent Rizzo into the world on August 8, 1989, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. John, his older brother, was a lineman for Florida Atlantic University’s football team. His ancestors hail from the Sicilian village of Ciminna, and Rizzo is of Italian origin. In 2007, he was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Career:
Rizzo started playing baseball at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where the ‘Boston Red Sox selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Before the “Red Sox” approached him to sign a $325,000 deal, he was set to enroll at Florida Atlantic University. He hit 12 home runs for the “Red Sox” in 2009.
He was transferred to the “San Diego Padres” after 2010 in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, a three-time “All-Star” first baseman. Along with Rizzo, players Casey Kelly, Reymond Fuentes, and Eric Patterson were traded. In “Triple-A,” he faced off against the “Tucson Padres” to open the 2011 campaign. He was chosen to participate in the 2011 Spring Training camp as a non-roster player.
It was revealed in May 2011 that his Major League debut might be postponed. He only received a call to play in the main league after participating in 52 games with the “Tucson Padres.” The most acclaimed Padres call-up’ since Roberto Alomar made his debut in 1988 is Rizzo, according to legend. On June 9, 2011, He played against the Washington Nationals on his major league debut, hitting a triple and driving in a run.
The “Padres” won 7-3 over the “Washington Nationals.” Rizzo hit his first home run against John Lannan on June 11. After a month, he was demoted to Triple-A because he struck out 36 times in 98 at-bats. Rizzo returned to the majors in September after finishing his season at “Tucson” with 26 home runs and 101 “RBIs” in 93 games.
Rizzo only had a.141 batting average with 46 strikeouts in 128 at-bats at the end of the season. Rizzo was dealt to the “Chicago Cubs” on January 6, 2012, along with Andrew Cashner and Kyung-Min Na. He maintained his hold on the minor leagues by beginning the season with a batting average.342, 23 home runs, and 62 RBIs. He initially played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, but the team called him in June to bolster a faltering defense.
He began to give his all at this point. After Mel Hall did it in August 1983, he became the first rookie “Cub” to hit seven home runs in a month. Additionally, he was the first “Chicago Cubs” member to get three back-to-back RBIs in his first five games. He was also voted “Rookie of the Month” for July after being second among rookies in the “National League” in run totals.
With 32 hits and 17 RBIs in the same month, he had the most among NL rookies. He signed a $71 million, 7-year contract with the “Cubs” in 2013, and the team selected him for several honors and accolades. During the season, he batted.233 with 23 home runs, 40 doubles, and 606 at-bats. Rizzo participated in his first “All-Star” contest in 2014. He participated in his second “All-Star” game during the 2015 campaign. He also made his debut in the “2015 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby,” losing to Josh Donaldson in the opening round.
On September 8, 2015, he hit his 100th home run, making him the only team member after Don Baylor to be hit by a pitch 30 times. In that year’s voting for the National League MVP, he came in fourth. He started at first base that year at the “2016 All-Star” game. In the “National League,” he also earned the most fan votes.
He also helped his group win the 2016 World Series, which hadn’t happened since 1908. The Cubs went on a seven-game winning streak the following season, going 5-2. During the streak, Rizzo had 12 hits in 28 at-bats, 10 RBIs, and a batting average of.430. For the 2017 All-Star Game, he started at first base for the National League.
He also became the fourth “Cub” to have at least three seasons with 30 home runs, 30 doubles, and 100 RBIs. Unfortunately, Rizzo’s back condition forced him to be on the disabled list in 2018. On July 23, 2018, he made his first game pitch, retiring A.J Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before the “MLB 2013 Season,” Rizzo participated for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Awards & Achievements:
He’s an ‘All-Star’ three times (2014-2016). In 2014, he received the “Player of the Week” award. In 2014, he also got the Branch Rickey Award. He, the youngest player accomplished the feat.
Rizzo has won several awards, including the “Heart & Hustle Award” (2015), “Golden Glove Award,” “Platinum Glove Award,” “Silver Slugger Award,” and “Roberto Clemente Award” (2017). In 2016, he also received the “Esurance MLB Awards” for “Best Social Media Personality” and “Best Play: Defense.” Also Read – Debbie Depp Bio, Career, Wiki, Family, Relationships, Net Worth & More
Personal Life:
In April 2008, Rizzo received a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. He had six months of chemotherapy. Around the same time, his grandma also developed breast cancer. The physicians informed him that he would be able to lead “a regular life” in November 2018. To aid cancer patients and fund research, he founded an “NGO” in 2012 called The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. On June 1, 2017, Rizzo proposed to his girlfriend, Emily Vakos. In 2016, while Rizzo was on his “Spring Training,” the two met in Arizona.
