Anthony Rizzo and Emily Vakos. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been stealing the hearts of MLB fans since his 2011 debut — but the baseball player is off the market.
Anthony was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB Draft, but didn’t make his major league debut until four years later with the San Diego Padres. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that Anthony became a household name with baseball fans after joining the Chicago Cubs organization.
Being a Cubs player of also changed Anthony’s romantic life too. He met now-wife Emily Rizzo (née Vakos) during 2016 spring training in Arizona. Anthony previously revealed that he was “relentless in [his] pursuit of her” but, initially, she was not into a relationship.
When they met, Emily was interning with the Cubs organization, so Anthony invited her to lunch.
Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce has made her the talk of the NFL, but football players aren’t the only athletes to show the singer love. New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo changed his walk-up song to Swift’s Reputation hit “Ready for It?” during a July 2023 game, instantly reversing his batting slump. Rizzo […]
By 2017, the pair were engaged and got married the following year. Emily, who keeps her personal life private, moved to New York with her husband after he signed with the Yankees in 2021.
Keep scrolling to see Anthony and Emily’s relationship timeline over the years:
Early 2016
Anthony met Emily when she was interning with the Cubs’ nutrition team during her senior year at Arizona State University. At the time, she turned the MLB star down. Eventually, they started dating.
April 2016
Anthony took their relationship public, going Instagram official.
November 2016
Emily was by her man’s side when the Cubs won the World Series.
June 2017
The couple announced their engagement. Anthony proposed on a boat on Lake Michigan in Chicago.
January 2018
Anthony celebrated Emily’s birthday with a social media tribute to his “best friend.”
December 2018
The couple got married.
“I had a wedding beyond anything I could have ever dreamt,” Emily said during an interview with Modern Luxury at the time. “It’s going to be perfect no matter what, because you’re marrying your best friend.”
The World Series has often been just as memorable for what happens before the first pitch is thrown. Baseball’s fall classic — which begins Friday, October 25 at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees — has seen some iconic performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” over the decades. […]
November 2019
Anthony showed off his and Emily’s dog — a dachshund named Kevin.
December 2019
“One year down and forever to go! Happy anniversary to my best friend @rizzoem,” he captioned an anniversary post on Instagram. “I love you! Being married to you is the absolute best feeling in the world!”
February 2020
Anthony called Emily his “forever Valentine” in an Instagram caption to celebrate the holiday of love.
December 2022
The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on a trip to Paris.
November 2023
Anthony supported his wife as she ran the New York City Marathon.
