Anthony Rizzo knows what it’s like to win on baseball’s biggest stage. His time with the Chicago Cubs included a World Series against Cleveland in 2016 that ended with a ring. Rizzo batted .360 with 5 RBIs and a home run in the World Series. Eight years later, at age 35, the veteran first baseman is hoping to capture his second championship in the New York Yankees’ first World Series appearance since 2009.

Rizzo is one of only three Yankees players with World Series experience. Juan Soto was part of the 2019 Washington Nationals team that won the World Series. Gerrit Cole appeared in the same World Series with the Houston Astros and lost to the Nationals. Manager Aaron Boone lost the World Series as a Yankees player in 2003 after his dramatic walk-off home run in the ALCS. Backup coach Brad Ausmus lost the 2005 World Series while playing for the Astros.

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The Yankees will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash. Since most of Rizzo’s teammates have never played in a World Series, he was often asked what it was like. His answer is: “That World Series (2016) was arguably one of the best World Series of all time. Now I can participate in another, possibly one of the best World Series of all time.” A World Series experience left me wanting more.

Rizzo almost missed it. After breaking two fingers on his right hand right at the end of the MLB regular season, he was forced to miss the ALDS while he recovered. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti formed a platoon at first base in Rizzo’s absence.

When the Yankees advanced to the ALCS, Rizzo refused to let his injury keep him from the big series. His fingers are still broken and he’s dealing with swelling between games, but Rizzo is fighting the pain with the help of adrenaline. Just weeks after picking up a pitch, he posted a .429 batting average in 14 at-bats in the ALCS. He wants to continue his postseason success in the World Series.

In his second World Series trip, Rizzo is taking nothing for granted. He understands the weight of the series. “You live and die every moment,” he told ESPN. “You have memories for a lifetime with the guys you’re with. Nothing can replace that.” A team is a family and Rizzo has felt at home with the Yankees for the past four seasons.

Rizzo is ready to write a new World Series story. The Yankees begin the series on Friday night on the road at Dodger Stadium.