Yankees Star Anthony Rizzo and Wife Emily Expecting Their First Baby

Anthony Rizzo and Emily Vakos are set to become parents! The New York Yankees player, 35, made this joyful announcement on January 23, enlisting their dog Kevin for the surprise, PEOPLE reported.

"Kev dog is gonna be a big brother!!!!" Rizzo shared on Instagram, tagging Vakos and adding blue heart emojis.

The heartfelt post included a photo of their dachshund, Kevin, seated on a sofa. He wore a scarf with "big brother" printed on it. Behind him lay ultrasound images, a pair of baby shoes, and a custom onesie stating "Baby Rizzo," along with the expected due date of "June 2025."

Reactions poured in. Aaron Judge commented, "Let’s goo," while Alex Verdugo cheered, "Dad Gang!!!🔥🔥."

Rizzo and Vakos crossed paths in 2016. At that time, Rizzo played for the Chicago Cubs during spring training in Arizona. Vakos interned with the team’s nutrition department, completing her studies at Arizona State University.

In a 2017 interview with Chicago Splash, Vakos shared that Rizzo initially asked her out, but she gave him a false number. "He was relentless," she said, noting she eventually agreed to a date when her internship wrapped up.

"The rest is history," she fondly recalled.

Rizzo popped the question in 2017, leading to their wedding on December 29, 2018, in South Florida. The couple enjoyed a breathtaking ceremony with Brett Eldredge performing at their first dance.

Speaking on their magical day, Vakos noted, "I had a wedding beyond anything I could have ever dreamt. It’s perfect because you’re marrying your best friend."

More recently, Rizzo and Vakos took part in the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation’s 12th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer 5K, held in December 2023.

Rizzo established the non-profit in 2012 following his own Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in 2008.

"When I was diagnosed, I focused on beating it and then started a foundation," Rizzo explained to Yankees Magazine in May 2024. "I wanted to replicate what Lance Armstrong did."

"There’s something incredible about witnessing Anthony’s impact on these children," Vakos commented, highlighting his commitment to the cause.

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