They met during spring training in Arizona in 2016, when Emily Vakos was interning in the nutrition department of the Chicago Cubs while finishing her degree at Arizona State University. She handed him a fake phone number at first—a classic move that backfired—but Anthony Rizzo wasn’t giving up. He proposed on June 1, 2017, on a Lake Michigan cruise with fireworks, and they married on December 29, 2018, in South Florida. What started as a clever rejection turned into one of baseball’s sweetest stories.
How It All Started in Arizona
Spring training in 2016 was where Anthony Rizzo, then in his prime with the Chicago Cubs, crossed paths with Emily Vakos. She wasn’t there as a fan—she was interning in the Cubs’ nutrition department while completing her studies at Arizona State. Their first meeting wasn’t love at first sight. Vakos handed him a fake phone number, a move that would have ended most stories right there. But Rizzo, who that year helped the Cubs win the World Series after 108 years without a title, had other plans.
A Proposal That Couldn’t Be Refused
One year later, on June 1, 2017, Anthony Rizzo organized a marriage proposal on a Lake Michigan cruise. Fireworks lit up the night as he asked her to marry him. The answer was yes. Eighteen months later, on December 29, 2018, they married in South Florida, solidifying a relationship that had started with a prank and ended in commitment.
Emily Vakos: Nutrition Specialist and Athlete
Emily Vakos is a certified school nutrition specialist, a profession that reflects her dedication to health and wellness. Her career extends beyond the professional realm: in November 2023, she ran the New York Marathon to raise funds for the Rizzo family foundation, dedicated to pediatric cancer. This participation shows how both share a commitment to causes that transcend baseball, turning their platform into a tool for social change.
Anthony Rizzo: A Champion’s Career
By 2016, when he met Emily, Anthony Rizzo was already a central figure with the Chicago Cubs. His career would make him an elite first baseman in the majors, a 2016 World Series champion, and a multiple-time All-Star selection. His presence on the field remained constant throughout the 2010s, solidifying him as one of the most reliable hitters in the American League when he joined the New York Yankees in later years.
| How They Met | Spring training in Arizona, 2016. She was interning in nutrition with the Chicago Cubs |
| Proposal | June 1, 2017, on a Lake Michigan cruise with fireworks |
| Wedding | December 29, 2018, South Florida |
| Together Since | 2016 |
| Children | Not public |
| Her Profession | Certified school nutrition specialist |
FAQ
Why did Emily Vakos give Anthony Rizzo a fake number?
The exact details aren’t known, but it was a first meeting during spring training in 2016 that, far from ending the story, began it in a memorable way.
Where did Anthony Rizzo and Emily Vakos get married?
They married on December 29, 2018, in South Florida, after he proposed to her on a Lake Michigan cruise a year and a half earlier.
What does Emily Vakos do besides supporting Anthony Rizzo?
She is a certified school nutrition specialist and has participated in events like the New York Marathon to raise funds for the Rizzo family foundation, which is dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer.
