SouthernWorldwide.com – As the 10-year anniversary of the Chicago Cubs breaking their historic 108-year World Series curse approaches, Cubs hero Anthony Rizzo is embracing his retirement and his connection to the city.
This November marks a decade since the Cubs clinched their first championship in generations. The victory on November 2, 2016, ended a drought that predated the sinking of the Titanic.
Many members of that iconic team are expected to reunite at Wrigley Field next month to commemorate the momentous occasion. This gathering will undoubtedly bring back cherished memories for players and fans alike.
Anthony Rizzo, who recently retired as a Cub after a distinguished 14-season career, has been actively involved in Chicago life. He recently signed a one-day contract to officially retire with the team he helped lead to glory.
Since his retirement from active play, Rizzo has been a familiar face around Chicago. He has been attending Cubs games, reconnecting with former teammates and the passionate fanbase.
He has also been collaborating with former World Series teammate David Ross. Together, they have been recording a podcast, offering fans insights into their playing days and lives beyond baseball.
In a recent initiative, Rizzo partnered with Abbott and Real Madrid. This collaboration aims to provide aspiring young soccer players in Chicago with unique opportunities. The program focuses on nurturing talent and emphasizing the importance of nutrition.
The “Abbott Dream Team” initiative selected 16 male and female participants, aged 18-19. These young athletes will embark on an all-expenses-paid trip to Spain. There, they will train at the official facilities of the renowned Real Madrid.
“Giving back in the community here in Chicago means the world to me, and these kids getting an opportunity to go to Real Madrid, practice, and train there is pretty special,” Rizzo shared.
He highlighted the program’s comprehensive approach. “It’s a really cool program, they’re both respective leaders in their industry, bringing together kids playing soccer, and then harping on the nutrition side of it, as well, means a lot,” he added.
Rizzo emphasized the critical role of nutrition in athletic development. “It takes a lot to get to the next level, and the fact that Abbott’s drilling these kids with nutrition and the importance of it, I think is very important as well,” he stated.
He further elaborated on the significance of nutrition for elite athletes. “Everyone’s talented when you get to the higher levels, right? Everyone has the talent, but it’s the mental capacity, it’s the little things, and nutrition is, I think, for me, one of the most important things,” Rizzo explained.
He described the tangible benefits of proper nutrition. “You don’t really see the results on the field, but you feel you’re gonna recover better, you’re gonna sleep better, you have more energy,” he said.
Rizzo stressed that taking care of one’s body is paramount. “So taking care of your body is very important, and I let them know that when you get to a certain level, the talent level evens out, and it’s what separates you from making it, or getting that opportunity, or being ready for that opportunity when it comes,” he concluded.
Rizzo’s own experience in the 2016 World Series provides a unique perspective on handling pressure. He played a pivotal role in the Cubs’ championship run, hitting .360 with a 1.084 OPS in the series.
Despite the immense weight of ending a 108-year drought, Rizzo maintained a focused approach. He explained that being in the World Series itself shifted his perspective.
“You don’t really feel as much of that weight, because you’re in the World Series, you’re at the highest level, you’re one of two teams standing, right?” Rizzo remarked.
He acknowledged that the historical significance of the drought was an external factor. “So, all the drought stuff comes in on the outside, and I was only there for five or six years up to that point, so, the previous 102 years…” he trailed off, implying a need for perspective.
“You just have to, you have to be able to have perspective on it,” Rizzo advised.
He described the team’s strategy for dealing with the pressure. “You have to be able to laugh about it, and for us, we just kept all the outside noise outside, and we just focused on what we had to do to win,” he stated.
The 2016 Cubs team is scheduled to reunite on July 18. This date marks the 10-year anniversary of a significant game in their championship season, where Rizzo hit a crucial three-run homer against the New York Mets.
