Former MLB All-Star Anthony Rizzo on Retirement, His New Broadcasting Career and the Abbott Dream Team Partnership (Exclusive)

With three MLB All-Star selections, 303 career home runs and a 2016 World Series ring, Chicago Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo knows all about performing and winning on the biggest of stages.

Now, the former first baseman will show a group of young Chicago athletes what it takes to win in a different sport.

In an exclusive interview with Men's Journal, Rizzo talked about his partnership with the Abbott Dream Team and his new career as an MLB analyst at NBC's Sunday Night Baseball program.

Rizzo is partnering with Abbott Laboratories, a global healthcare and medical device company, for the 2026 Abbott Dream Team. 16 soccer players in the country (ages 18-19) across six major markets will be selected to get the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The selected players will travel to Chicago and to Ciudad Real Madrid (in Madrid, Spain), the Real Madrid soccer team's training complex. The lucky 16 will train with Real Madrid's coaching staff, visit the Bernabéu (Real Madrid's home stadium) and tour Spain.

"When this opportunity came up, I loved it," Rizzo told Men's Journal. "I love what Abbott's doing, I love what Real Madrid is doing. They're both respective leaders globally...It's a really cool opportunity for these kids...It's an awesome opportunity. These kids are very engaged."

Rizzo talked about his return to the Windy City, where he spent 10 of his 14 MLB seasons.

"Amazing (to be back in Chicago), it's been awesome being back. Had my family here this past week. Getting back into the community is something I've wanted to do. I'm really enjoying the time here."

In February, news broke that NBC had hired Rizzo, 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto and three-time World Series champion Clayton Kershaw for its Sunday Night Baseball coverage. Rizzo discussed the transition from the playing field to the broadcast booth.

"A lot of learning on the fly," Rizzo said. "I love the feedback. I'm with a lot of very experienced people at NBC that have taken me under their wing, teaching me every week, how to coach me up and be a better broadcaster.

"At the end of the day, I feel like talking the game is something that comes natural for me. I can relate a lot more, now that I'm freshly removed from the game, and hopefully I can bring that perspective to the fans and help them see the game in a way that maybe they've never seen it before."

Takes on the Cubs, Yankees and a Stacked National League

Rizzo was asked for some mid-season evaluations on his two former teams. Despite a rash of injuries to key players, the New York Yankees (39-26) are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays (38-25) for first place in the American League.

"The Yankees are deep this year," Rizzo said. "(Their) pitching, their lineup is very, very deep, offensively as well. Judge going down is going to hurt them, but I think they're more built this year, more than ever, to sustain and hold down the fort while he's getting healthy...He's the best player in the world.

"Losing him is hard. Guys have opportunities to step up there in the Yankees lineup. Guys have been doing a great job. Ben Rice...holding it down. He's turned into a star in this game."

The Cubs (34-32) looked like a bona fide World Series contender after starting out 27-12, thanks to a 10-game winning streak. They have inexplicably unraveled by going 7-20 since, but Rizzo doesn't think it's time for Chicago fans to hit the panic button.

"Up and down roller-coaster. It's part of the season. (Alex) Bregman taking accountability is what you want from your leaders. He understands that, he wants to play better. He expects to play better. He demands the best out of himself."

"If you're a fan, don't worry, they're putting in the work. They'll get out of it. They're professionals...When they have failure, they know how to handle it better than anyone."

Rizzo mentioned the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies as teams that have recently stood out to him. Though he's impressed by the "stacked" National League, Rizzo claims the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers remain "the team to beat."

Rizzo was also asked if there was one team that the Dodgers want to avoid in October. The four-time Gold Glove winner, however, thinks the entire NL will be a problem for the back-to-back champs.

"Honestly, the entire National League. That National League Playoff Series is going to be must-watch.," Rizzo said. "The (San Diego) Padres are good. The (San Francisco) Giants are playing (better). Their whole division. The Diamondbacks.

"You have the Phillies, the Braves...it's a deep National League. Anyone can beat anyone. To me, it'll be interesting to see teams at the trade deadline. Who goes all in, and who stays the course."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM.