Anthony Rizzo Lets Home Run Bounce Off His Hand In Wrigley Field Bleachers

There was the time just before the 2020 season when Wrigley Field sat empty and Rizzo sat in the bleachers during a workout. It's only fitting that this time around, he joined the fan base that embraced him and helped him build a legacy in Chicago when he sat in a packed bleachers section upon his return to Wrigley Field.

"I'm gonna sit in the bleachers," Rizzo told reporters before Saturday's game. "I'm gonna eat a hot dog. I'm gonna drink some adult beverages. Are we allowed to do the beer snake? Because I will be the rally starter for the beer snake."

Not only did Rizzo, who was being honored by the Cubs as he officially retired from the game, do everything he promised, but he also bought hundreds of beers for the surrounding fans. And in the Cubs' half of the second inning, rookie Moisés Ballesteros launched the first home run of his career, a solo shot that hit off Rizzo's hand and ricocheted toward another fan. Just another day in the bleachers at Wrigley Field.

But that is Rizzo. He's always in the middle of the action. Before the game, former teammate Jason Heyward was on the field waiting for Rizzo to throw out the first pitch. So were Eddie Vedder, Cindy Crawford and former Chicago Blackhawks great Chris Chelios. The 1990s are apparently having a moment. The group then watched as a video was played honoring Rizzo on the scoreboard as he received yet another ovation from an adoring crowd.

Having fun and keeping it light was what made Rizzo so easy for fans, teammates and the city of Chicago to love. Leadership comes in different forms. Heyward, Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist and David Ross handled things differently. So did Rizzo. His goal was to make sure everyone enjoyed the moment because he seemed to understand how quickly it could change.

"It's the perspective from my mom and dad," Rizzo said. "My mom's New Year's resolution is 'live it up' every year. When you're going bad, you still have to have fun, and when you're going good, you have to have fun. You can't really do it in between."