The entire Chicago baseball community is buzzing with emotion after Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo publicly expressed his desire to return to the Chicago Cubs in a completely new role after his playing career — from assistant coach and player development advisor to potentially becoming more deeply involved in the team’s leadership.
But what moved fans wasn’t just the idea of a return.
It was the reason behind it.
“I don’t want to just inspire,” Rizzo shared in a recent interview. “I want to really help build the next generation of Cubs. This team is a part of my life.”
Those few words were enough to send Chicago social media into a frenzy.
For Chicago Cubs fans, Anthony Rizzo has never been just a former player. He is a symbol of the revolution that changed the entire history of the team.
When the Cubs were mired in disappointment in the early 2010s, Anthony Rizzo was one of the first building blocks of the rebuilding process. He arrived in Chicago when the team was still struggling through disappointing seasons and quickly became the heart of the locker room.
Not just because of his home runs or world-class defense.
But because of his never-give-up fighting spirit.
Rizzo was the soul of the team that helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series — a historic championship that ended a 108-year title drought and brought the entire city of Chicago to tears.
Now, when asked about the possibility of returning to the organization, Rizzo admits he has never truly “left the Cubs” in his heart.
“That’s home,” he says. “Wrigley Field, the fans, this city… it all changed my life.” Sources close to the team indicate that many members of the Cubs are also open to the possibility of Rizzo taking on a role as an advisor or ambassador for the team’s culture in the future. Some even believe he could become a key figure in the management team if he decides to pursue a managerial career after retirement.
That’s not surprising.
For years, Rizzo has been considered one of MLB’s most respected leaders. Young players often look to him not only for technical training but also to learn how to handle the pressure, media attention, and responsibilities of being a big star.
A former Cubs teammate once said:
“Anthony has the ability to make people believe they are stronger than they think.”
That’s also the quality that makes many believe Rizzo was born to do more than just play basketball.
Off the field, he has long been a prominent figure in Chicago’s community activities through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation—an organization supporting children with cancer, inspired by his own battle with cancer as a young man.
Therefore, Rizzo’s return to the Cubs is not simply a baseball story.
It’s a story of identity.
About a legend wanting to continue contributing to the place that made him an icon.
Many Cubs fans immediately called on the team to “open the doors for Rizzo to return at all costs.” On Chicago forums, fans continuously shared his legendary moments at Wrigley Field with the message:
“Once a Cub… always a Cub.”
Many believe that Rizzo can bring exactly what the Cubs are lacking in this current transition period—character, a winning culture, and locker room solidarity.
In an era where MLB is increasingly dominated by statistics and business, Anthony Rizzo represents what Chicago fans love most: heart.
That’s why, even years after leaving the team, he’s still welcomed back to Wrigley Field by fans like a returning son every time he appears.
Internal sources reveal that informal discussions about Rizzo’s future role with the Cubs have begun to surface recently. While there’s no concrete confirmation, the interest from both sides is believed to be completely serious.
And for many Chicago fans, the mere thought of Anthony Rizzo once again stepping onto Wrigley Field with the Cubs logo on his chest—whether in a manager’s suit or a coaching uniform—is enough to create a special feeling.
Because some legends never truly leave.
They’re just waiting for the day they return to continue writing their unfinished story with the city that loved them unconditionally.
