Chicago Cubs legendary first baseman and World Series champion Anthony Rizzo has retired from MLB after 14 seasons, he announced Wednesday.

Rizzo, 36, announced his retirement in an Instagram post.

“This game gave me everything. 14 years later, I’m retiring with nothing but gratitude,” Rizzo wrote.

A three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove award winner, Rizzo played more than nine of his 14 MLB seasons with Chicago. He helped lead the Cubs to win the 2016 World Series over the then-Cleveland Indians, marking the franchise’s first championship in 108 years. He caught the final out in extra innings to clinch the Cubs’ Game 7 win over Cleveland.

Rizzo played his final three-and-a-half seasons with the New York Yankees from 2021-24. He also played his rookie season for the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Cubs in January 2012.

Rizzo will join the Cubs as a team ambassador and will be celebrated at Wrigley Field prior to the Cubs’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

“Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement, per MLB.com. “His play on the field spoke for itself and was recognized with multiple All-Star appearances, Gold Glove Awards, the Roberto Clemente Award and, ultimately, being a team leader on the 2016 World Series championship team.”

For his career, Rizzo hit .261 with 303 home runs, 965 RBI and an .828 OPS in 1,727 games played for the Padres, Cubs and Yankees.

Cleveland Guardians reporters on Rizzo

“Anthony Rizzo killed Cleveland pitching,” said Paul Hoynes, longtime Guardians reporter for Cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer. “It didn’t matter if he was with the Cubs or Yankees, Cleveland couldn’t get him out. He was a .310 (36-for-116) lifetime hitter against Cleveland with four homers and 16 RBI. It would have been much worse if the Cubs were in the American League. It didn’t matter if Rizzo was playing with broken fingers, he still hit Cleveland pitching. In the 2016 World Series, he hit .360 (9-for-25) with one homer and five RBI against the Tribe. He owned the Indians/Guardians, body and soul.”

“Guardians fans never forgot Rizzo’s success in the 2016 World Series,” said Joe Noga, Guardians reporter for cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer. “He tormented Cleveland in the postseason throughout his career both with Chicago and the Yankees. When he came to the plate in the 2024 ALCS at Progressive Field, they booed him mercilessly, and with good reason. In 56 career postseason games against Cleveland, he batted .294 with two home runs, five doubles and nine RBIs. He always seemed to come to the plate in big situations and delivered crucial at-bats for the Cubs and Yankees.”

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