Anthony Rizzo channeling 2016 Chicago Cubs to save Yankees in World Series

Former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo finds himself in a similar position with the New York Yankees that he was in with the Chicago Cubs in 2016.

Rizzo and the Yankees are on the verge of being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series after losing 4-2 on Monday. The potential decisive game is set for Tuesday night but Rizzo seems to be an important voice in the Yankees' clubhouse.

During the game on Monday, Tom Verducci shared a story of what Rizzo is doing in order to keep the hopes of his teammates alive.

Of course, Rizzo is no stranger to seemingly insurmountable deficits in the World Series. The 2016 World Series saw the Cubs trailing the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 before the Cubs proceeded to win the final four games of the series.

Anthony Rizzo to trying revive the 2016 Cubs' magic with the New York Yankees.

It's interesting to see how Rizzo has essentially become to the 2024 Yankees what David Ross was to the 2016 Cubs. It was Ross' elder wisdom and experience that calmed the young core of the Cubs in 2016 when they were making their unthinkable comeback. Throughout the series, there would be clips shown of the Cubs' dugout where Ross was seemingly easing the nerves of Rizzo. Now, at 35 years old, Rizzo is the elder wise man trying right the ship for the Yankees.

It's also a reminder of how important Rizzo has become to the Yankees. It may pain Cubs fans to hear this, but Rizzo has become a leader for the Yankees. In fact, the argument could be made that Rizzo is a more natural leader with the Yankees in his older years than he was with the Cubs in 2016. This lends credence to the desire for Rizzo to retire as a Yankee.