The New York Yankees were deep in a postseason chase in 2021 when they made a move that instantly shifted their energy.
That summer, the team traded for Anthony Rizzo, a first baseman who had spent his entire career with the Chicago Cubs.
By that point, Rizzo was already a World Series champion and beloved figure in Chicago’s 2016 title run.
For Yankees fans, his arrival brought more than just a solid glove and a dangerous left-handed bat in the lineup.
It brought a player whose championship pedigree and competitive spirit seemed tailor-made for the Bronx.
A Career Turned on a Single Trade
Speaking recently on the Glory Daze podcast, Rizzo called the trade “the best thing that ever happened” to him .
He explained that while he loved Chicago, his move to New York forced him to grow b