Retired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has seen two home runs land in his immediate vicinity while watching games at Wrigley Field [1].
The occurrences highlight the unusual luck of a franchise icon who remains a frequent presence in the right-field bleachers. For a player known for his defensive skill on the field, the transition to a spectator has brought a different kind of interaction with the ball.
The first incident occurred on Sept. 13, 2025 [2]. During that game, a home run hit by Moisés Ballesteros deflected off Rizzo's hand as it entered the stands [2]. The moment served as a rare instance of a retired player physically interacting with a live play from the spectator area.
On July 18, 2026, a second home run landed where Rizzo was seated [3]. This ball was hit by Michael Busch [3]. While reports on the outcome of the play differ, some accounts said Rizzo secured the ball in the bleachers [3]. Other reports said that Rizzo dropped the ball while sitting in the stands [4].
Both events took place in the right-field bleachers, a section of the stadium where Rizzo spent much of his active career defending the diamond. The frequency of these events—two home runs landing near one specific individual over two seasons [1]—is a statistical anomaly that has drawn attention from fans and the league.
Rizzo attended the games as a fan and celebrant [5]. His presence in the stands continues to be a point of connection between the current Cubs roster and the legacy of the team's previous championship eras.
“The Cubs have now hit two home runs to Anthony Rizzo in the stands over the past two seasons.”
These incidents underscore the enduring relationship between retired star athletes and their former home stadiums. While the physical interaction with the balls is a novelty, the presence of a figure like Rizzo in the bleachers serves as a bridge between the team's current performance and its historical identity, maintaining fan engagement through shared nostalgia.
