With Rizzo making his return to Wrigley today, it’s interesting how the Cubs chose this game to honor Aramis Ramírez’s induction into the Cubs Hall of Fame. The timing feels a bit off.

You’d think the team would’ve noticed on the schedule that the Cubs were playing the Yankees in September—Rizzo’s first game back at Wrigley—and perhaps reconsidered having the Ramírez ceremony on the same day.

Ramírez’s last season with the Cubs was in 2011, and Rizzo’s first was in 2012, so their paths never crossed. After leaving the Cubs, Ramírez joined the Brewers and finished in the top ten for MVP voting in 2012.

There could be some connection with Counsell, since he managed the Brewers, but they only overlapped for part of the 2015 season, when Counsell took over as manager, and Ramírez was traded midway through the year.

(btw, It’s wild to think Ramírez was already 37 when the Brewers traded him. Teams signing long-term contracts for players in their late 30s always feels risky. At 37, Ramírez seemed like an old veteran out there.)

Looking back now. The Cubs not signing Aramis was really the start of them building the Championship team. Aramis last year 2011. Rizzo first year 2012.

Those two players span nearly two continuous decades of Cubs baseball.

So, who’s going to get the louder ovation today—Aramis or Rizzo? (Game at 1:20 pm.)

Update: Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Rizzo gets a Topps Now card commemorating his first return to Wrigley Field.

Maybe Topps should have put a Cubs logo on this Topps Now card. It’s really more about the Cubs than the Yankees. But nevertheless, he gets a card. None of the other 2016 championship Cubs got a card for their return to Wrigley Field. Kris Bryant didn’t get a card. Neither did Lester, Fowler, Baez, Contreras, Heyward, Schwarber, or Arrieta.

Aramis Ramirez or Kerry Wood didn’t get a card for their induction into the Cubs Hall of Fame. Other players have gotten Topps Now cards.

Complete list of Topps Now cards for players inducted into a MLB team Hall of Fame

DateTopps Now card #PlayerTitlePrint runAugust 17, 2024#564Jose CansecoAthletics Legend Honored with HOF Ceremony1,465July 28, 2024#481Randy JohnsonLegendary Pitcher Inducted Into Diamondbacks HOF770June 29, 2024#363Bo JacksonLegend Inducted Into Royals Hall of Fam1,564May 30, 2024#246Dustin PedroiaRed Sox Legend Inducted Into Team Hall of Fame720July 9, 2023#545Wade Boggs1st Player to Be Inducted Into Rays Hall of Fame591September 5, 2023#660Joe MauerHonored as 38th Member of Twins Hall of Fame945August 27, 2022#790IchiroLegend Is Inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame2,275May 20, 2022#378Manny RamirezInducted Into Red Sox Hall of Fame421

It’s a bit understandable that Aramis Ramirez didn’t get a card. But Kerry Wood? Now that I think about it, I would have LOVED to see Shawon Dunston or Mark Grace get a Topps Now card for their Cubs HOF induction.

https://www.57hits.com/celebrating-anthony-rizzo-and-aramis-ramirez-on-the-same-day

#AnthonyRizzo #AramisRamirez #ChicagoCubs