Anthony Rizzo experienced a moment of redemption at Wrigley Field on Saturday, successfully catching a home run hit by current Cubs infielder Michael Busch while sitting in the outfield bleachers. The successful grab occurred less than a year after Rizzo fumbled a similar play.
Rizzo, accompanied by his infant son, tracked the ball into the stands during the Cubs’ 6-2 victory over the Twins. Fans surrounding him cheered as he secured the catch and then held his son aloft. Announcers on the Marquee Sports broadcast expressed disbelief at the turn of events.
"I thought that was super, just like mind-blowing," Busch said of Rizzo's catch. "Who knows how things work out, but I thought that was pretty cool."
This successful catch came nearly a year after a widely noted blunder in September, when Rizzo attempted to catch a foul ball in the stands. In that instance, despite gesturing to fans to clear the area, the ball bounced out of his hands.
Rizzo was in Chicago for events celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Cubs' 2016 World Series title. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday, the same day the Cubs unveiled the logo for the 2027 All-Star Game, which is scheduled to be held at Wrigley Field.
Speaking about the 2016 team's impact, Busch noted, "The 2016 team, what they did for this city and the championship that they brought was obviously a big deal. You could just tell from the fans how much they were loved and how much joy they brought to the city. And then Rizzo was kind of a cornerstone for them."