News is causing a stir in the baseball community: the prestigious sports magazine Sports Illustrated has just published a special ranking, officially honoring the legendary Chicago Cubs duo – Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo – as the greatest Cubs duo of the modern era.
This decision immediately sparked outrage among Cubs fans worldwide. For many, Bryant and Rizzo are not just two outstanding stars – they represent the Cubs’ historic resurgence, a period that ended a century-long curse.
For over a century, the Cubs were a team associated with anticipation and painful missed opportunities. But everything changed when Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant became the centerpiece of a young, ambitious team.
Rizzo joined the Cubs first and quickly became the team’s spiritual leader at Wrigley Field. He was not only an outstanding hitter but also an inspiration to the entire locker room.
A few years later, Kris Bryant emerged as a phenomenon. With his confident playing style and all-around offensive ability, Bryant quickly became the brightest star of the new generation of Cubs.
When the two stood side-by-side on the team, fans began to believe that the seemingly impossible – a World Series championship – could become a reality.
The culmination of that journey came at the 2016 World Series.
After a 108-year wait, the Cubs entered the finals under immense pressure from history. Throughout the dramatic series, Bryant and Rizzo were the two biggest pillars of the team.
Rizzo brought stability to the lineup and the locker room, while Bryant displayed superstar form, leading the team through the most crucial moments.
The historic moment came in Game 7 when Bryant caught the ball at third base and then threw it to Rizzo at first base to complete the final out.
The image of Bryant smiling in the rain while throwing the ball and Rizzo clutching the ball after the catch has become one of the most iconic moments in MLB history.
According to Sports Illustrated’ analysis, what makes Bryant and Rizzo special is not just their numbers.
They forged a genuine friendship on and off the court. They frequently appeared together in community activities and charity campaigns, becoming the face of the Cubs’ new image.
A Sports Illustrated editor commented:
“There are many star duos in MLB, but very few can combine talent, leadership, and cultural influence like Bryant and Rizzo.”
It is this combination that has earned them the distinction of being the Cubs’ most iconic duo in the modern era.
Although neither of them plays for the Cubs anymore, their influence in Chicago remains profound.
Cubs fans still vividly remember the seasons when that youthful team transformed Wrigley Field into one of MLB’s most vibrant stadiums.
Many believe that without Bryant and Rizzo, the Cubs would never have broken the century-long curse.
Immediately after Sports Illustrated’s rankings were released, a flood of fans shared memorable moments of the duo on social media.
One Cubs fan wrote:
“Bryant and Rizzo didn’t just bring the World Series. They brought hope to an entire generation of fans.”
Throughout the long history of the Chicago Cubs, there have been many great stars like Ernie Banks and Ron Santo.
But for the modern era, Bryant and Rizzo created a special story – the story of two young players stepping onto the big stage, shouldering the weight of history, and ultimately writing the most glorious chapter in the Cubs’ history in over a century.
And now, honored by Sports Illustrated as the greatest Cubs duo of the modern era, that legacy is reaffirmed once again.
Because for Cubs fans, it will likely be a long time before they witness another pair capable of changing the team’s history like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.
