Anthony Rizzo retires as a Cub after 14 MLB seasons, closing a decade in Chicago with a Wrigley tribute, a ceremonial first pitch to Ian Happ and a celebratory bleacher cameo.

Happ praises his leadership; Rizzo jokes about Happ’s “dumper,” and Moisés Ballesteros’ first homer lands near his row. Rizzo’s Hodgkin lymphoma battle and the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation’s $20M+ in pediatric cancer aid cap a career that featured 242 homers, 784 RBIs, three All-Stars and four Gold Gloves, plus stops with the Padres and Yankees.

Anthony Rizzo retires at 36, returning to Wrigley Field as Cubs ambassador after a decade of powering a title-era lineup and belting 242 homers in Chicago. His farewell, highlighted by a family-filled tribute and Ian Happ’s walk-up moment, caps a career defined by leadership, resilience, and community work with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. The ceremony signals a transition for the Cubs, blending a storied player legacy with a youthful pipeline.

Beyond the retirement, the article ties his impact to the team’s identity, noting Counsell’s praise of Rizzo and Baez as the heart of those Cubs squads. Moises Ballesteros and other Cubs youngsters stand to gain infield and lineup opportunities as leadership shifts, with fantasy owners watching for subtle shifts in playing time and production.

Four MLB home-run props lead Casey Wilson's 9/9/2025 slate: Harrison Bader, Ian Happ, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Ramon Laureano. Bader targets Manaea at Citizens Bank Park in a lefty-friendly Phillies lineup spot; Happ faces Spencer Strider as the Cubs visit Atlanta; Tatis Jr. and Laureano tee off in PETCO Park against Zack Littell. The piece recommends a round-robin approach with disciplined bankroll sizing and emphasizes shopping lines across FanDuel and DK.

Odds are paired with two new Props Optimizer tools and a premium pass, underscoring the strategy of stacking a small, efficient four-pack to chase upside across separate games. It also highlights same-game parlay potential while urging bettors to stay within a four-HR cap for sustainability.

Boyd delivered another quality start for Chicago, keeping the Cubs in a tight ballgame as Daylen Lile’s tiebreaking homer carried Nationals to a 2-1 victory. Chicago drew seven walks but couldn’t cash in, leaving fantasy managers waiting for a spark from the top of the order. Crow-Armstrong is turning heads as a growing depth option, while Swanson and Happ provide steady counting stats down the stretch. PCA’s knee contusion could shuffle the Cubs’ outfield mix, adding risk but also opportunity for emergent players. Tucker’s injury update with Houston adds a cross-team wrinkle for late-season lineups.

The Cubs pounded Washington 11-5 at Wrigley, riding a four-homer attack with Dansby Swanson, Reese McGuire, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ all going deep. Hoerner’s shot gave him his sixth of the year and his first at Wrigley since 2024, as Sosa watched from the stands during the Hall of Fame weekend. Jake Irvin struggled early, while Pete Crow-Armstrong used a day off to reset and finish 2-for-3 with two sacrifice flies. For fantasy, Chicago’s home-hitting power remains a prime target as Washington deals with a rough starter turnover and big innings.