Wrigley Field was packed for the first time since 2019, and Anthony Rizzo gave the fans a show. In a long battle during the sixth inning against the Cardinals, Rizzo worked through a 14-pitch at-bat. After falling behind 0-2, he started spoiling every pitch that wasn’t a fastball, fouling off curveballs and changeups while hunting for something he could drive. The at-bat grew into a mini-event, with the crowd slowly realizing how special it was becoming. Rizzo finally got a middle-middle fastball and crushed it for a game-tying home run, sending the stadium into chaos.
The moment wasn’t just about the hit. It was about the build-up. Every pitch added to the tension until the payoff. People in the crowd were jumping, arms in the air. One fan was declared the true winner for timing his celebration perfectly. The dugout loved it, with Javy Báez calling for a curtain call. Rizzo responded, coming out to wave to the roaring crowd. It was the kind of at-bat that sticks with fans. Not just because of the home run, but because of how hard Rizzo had to work for it.