Team Italy slugger Anthony Rizzo joins the New York Yankees

Team Italy slugger Anthony Rizzo joins the New York Yankees
30/07/2021
After a decade of being the face of the franchise for the Chicago Cubs, Italian-American slugger Anthony Rizzo will now wear the iconic pinstripes of the New York Yankees in a trade sending prospects Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Vizcaino to the Windy City

After nearly ten seasons as a Chicago Cubs fan favorite during which time he led his team to the 2016 World Series title in addition to winning four Gold Gloves Awards, a Silver Slugger Award and a Roberto Clemente Award, Anthony Rizzo will play for the New York Yankees for at the least the remainder of the season as the Bronx Bombers bolster their hopes of making the playoffs. The New York Yankees are currently 8.5 games behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox and 3.5 games out of the wild-card race.

Anthony Rizzo, a three-time MLB All-Star from 2014-2016, has hit 243 home runs during his career.  The big lefty hitter will undoubtedly have the opportunity to increase his homer production in the short porch at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees also acquired left-handed slugger Joey Gallo recently to add yet another piece of the puzzle in a lineup sure to sizzle with power.

Anthony Rizzo was a member of Team Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic before sitting out of the 2017 games. His great-grandfather was from Sicily. He said, "I come from a very strong Italian background and to represent the whole country is a pretty cool experience." Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)