“The love I have for them and the Cubs will never be matched” - Anthony Rizzo looks to special moment after longing for return to Wrigley Field

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is not having the greatest season in the Bronx. But the former Chicago Cubs All-Star is looking forward to visiting his former stomping ground, Wrigley Field, for the first time since his move to the Bronx Bombers in 2021.

The Yankees had a day off on Thursday following their disappointing series loss against the reigning World Series winners the Texas Rangers. They will open a three-game series against Rizzo's former team, the Cubs on Friday.

Rizzo, who rose to prominence during his stint in Chicago, reflected on his love for the franchise ahead of the Yankees' crucial series, chasing the AL East pennat:

“As far as closure to that, I think that door will always be open in Chicago. The amount of respect I have for the fan base there and the love I have for them and the Cubs will never be [matched].”

The three-time All-Star was one of the protagonists in the Cubs' World Series triumph against the Cleaveland Guardians in 2016. It broke a franchise drought of 108 years as it won the first World Series title since 1908.

Anthony Rizzo reminisces about his World Series triumph with the Cubs

The Cubs beat the Guardians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to reach the promised land. Anthony Rizzo looked back at the triumph during his nine-season stint with the team, reflecting on what it meant for the fans and the people of Chicago.

"After we won the World Series, the stories that you heard, all the pictures of the people going to the graves -- just the countless stories you still hear," Rizzo said. "It was really special after we won and just the years after, being there, seeing how happy those fans were. I think anyone you ask on that team will say pretty much the same thing."

The Yankees lost their lead in the AL East to rivals the Baltimore Orioles after consecutive defeats against the Rangers earlier this week. They traile the Orioles by one game and Rizzo will be hoping to contribute in his team's late push this season and maybe replicate the heroics he managed for the Cubs in 2016.