Anthony Rizzo. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Yankees Youngster Makes Heartwarming Ex-Cub Anthony Rizzo Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 1, 2025 6:45 PM ET

Former Chicago Cubs fan favorite first baseman Anthony Rizzo most recently played for the New York Yankees, where he struggled mightily over the past year and a half.

Rizzo is now without a team after a disappointing showing for the Yankees during that span, and it's uncertain if he'll ever get another chance.

However, a recent interview with Anthony Volpe showed the type of impact he made on the youngster and why many love him. Despite his below-average play at times for the Yankees, Rizzo was a great teammate and professional during his tenure in New York, much like his time in Chicago.

According to the New York Post’s Christian Arnold, Rizzo was the one who helped Volpe find his jersey number, which is No. 11.

“When I got called up out of spring training, my head was all over the place, the last thing I was thinking of was what number I was going to be,” Volpe says in the episode, which The Post got a sneak peek of. “Riz and Judgey pulled me over and they were like, ‘Where’s your head at? What are you thinking?’”

It was later added by Arnold that Rizzo suggested he wear No. 11, which Brett Gardner, a 14-year professional, had previously worn.

“That’s when Judge and Rizzo expressed to the then-rookie that the No. 11 would be a good choice for him,” he wrote.

Volpe said that Rizzo and other veterans on the Yankees roster did an excellent job of taking him under their wings. It isn’t easy being a young big league player in New York, but guys like Rizzo certainly helped him get used to the spotlight.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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