Anthony Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo, a former professional baseball first baseman, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons, predominantly with the Chicago Cubs. Traded to the Cubs in 2012, Rizzo quickly distinguished himself as a force to be reckoned with, becoming the first player in Cubs history to have three game-winning RBIs in his first five games with the team. His performance earned him the title of the National League's July Rookie of the Month in 2012. A year later, Rizzo agreed to a seven-year contract with the Cubs. He was named the Cubs' finalist for the National Heart and Hustle Award and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2013.

Rizzo's career was marked not only by his skills but his consistency. In 2014, he became the youngest player to receive the Branch Rickey Award as "a strong role model for young people". His performance in 2015 led to his election to the All-Star Team on the players' ballot, and he placed 4th in National League MVP voting that same year. Rizzo's contributions to his team culminated in the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory. That same year, he received accolades for his fielding and batting, winning a Gold Glove Award and the Silver Slugger. He continued to excel in subsequent seasons, winning the Gold Glove Award for first basemen in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Off the field, Rizzo is known for his philanthropic work, which includes founding the Anthony Rizzo Foundation in 2012. The foundation's focus on cancer research and supporting affected families has seen it raise millions through events like the Annual Cook-Off For Cancer and Walk-Off for Cancer. Notably, the foundation donated $3.5 million to the Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago as of August 2017. Rizzo's commitment to community service has been recognized with the Roberto Clemente Award in 2017 and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award that same year. After retiring from professional baseball in 2025, Rizzo rejoined the Chicago Cubs in an ambassador role, and in 2026, he was hired as an NBC baseball analyst.