World Series winner's wedding ring is miraculously rescued from bottom of Lake Michigan

1 week ago 2

By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 18:38 BST, 3 September 2025 | Updated: 18:39 BST, 3 September 2025

Former World Series winner Anthony Rizzo almost had a lot of explaining to his wife to do. 

The 36-year-old, who most recently played for the New York Yankees, reportedly once required a miracle after going for a trip on Lake Michigan

The first baseman once reportedly lost his wedding ring to the watery depths of the lake and required the services of a famed Chicago diver. 

Rizzo is said to have taken his boat out for a spin on the water when he washed his hands and shook them dry. However, he had recently lost weight causing the ring to fling off his finger and plunge into the water. 

But Yohei Yamada, a scuba-diver-for-hire who 'takes pride in finding a needle in a haystack,' claimed to Block Club Chicago that he came to Rizzo's rescue. 

'Somebody gave him my number,' Yamada told the outlet before adding that he successfully retrieved the ring and returned it to the baseball star in exchange for a hefty tip. 

MLB star Anthony Rizzo once lost his wedding ring in Lake Michigan. Pictured with his wife 

The first baseman, who most recently played for the New York Yankees, called in expert help 

Rizzo reportedly paid Yamada a few hundred dollars for his services - services which the diver has turned into a living. 

The 49-year-old is said to relocate more than 500 valuables from the bed of Lake Michigan each summer, including keys, rings, wallets, bracelets, cellphones and even a $30,000 Rolex. 

Rizzo married his wife, Emily Vakos, in 2018 after proposing a year earlier, ironically, during a boat trip on Lake Michigan. 

They met during the Chicago Cubs' spring training in 2016 when Vakos was interning with the team’s nutrition department during her final year of college at Arizona State University. 

Vakos initially gave him a fake number but Rizzo relentlessly pursued their happily ever after. 

The couple welcomed their first baby together - a son - after announcing the news that Vakos was pregnant in January.  

Yet, Rizzo would likely have been glad it was his wedding ring he had lost and not his World Series ring - that would have been harder to replace. 

Rizzo helped lead the Chicago Cubs to the World Series title in 2016 during his nine-year stint in the Windy City. 

Yohei Yamada (R), a scuba-diver-for-hire, has claimed that he retrieved the ring from the lake 

Rizzo married Emily Vakos, in 2018 after proposing a year earlier, ironically, on Lake Michigan

Rizzo helped lead the Cubs to the World Series title in 2016 during his nine years in Chicago 

He also earned three All-Star inclusions during his time in Chicago, while claiming four Gold Glove awards.

The Florida native joined the New York Yankees in 2021. However, his time in the Bronx came to an end when the team declined their option after their World Series defeat to the LA Dodgers, last season. 

Rizzo, who made a huge blunder before the Dodgers' championship-winning comeback in Game 5 of the series, has been a free agent since. 

In February, Rizzo addressed retirement rumors as he admitted he is healthy enough to play while acknowledging that his days on the field are numbered.

'I've definitely thought about it. I think I have a lot to give to the game still,' the three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner at first base told The Athletic. 

'But at the same time, if teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I've seen it the last 10 years of my career. It's what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. You've seen it happen more and more. I'm not naive to it. It could be it.'

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