When Anthony Rizzo revealed that he and his wife, Emily, enjoyed spending mornings before home games walking their dachshund, Kevin, in Central Park, it provided a strong indication that the veteran first baseman might be thinking about an extended stay in Yankees pinstripes.

Good news arrived for the Rizzos and their four-legged companion this week, as the Yankees and the slugger agreed to a new two-year contract worth at least $40 million. The pact will pay Rizzo $17 million in each of the next two seasons, plus an option at the same value for 2025, with a $6 million buyout.

“We really love it here,” Rizzo said. “We love this city; we love the energy. We love going to Yankee Stadium and playing at that park every day. That was really the most important thing. You look at the team, and the New York Yankees are a team, an organization and franchise that has consistently put winning products on the field.”

The 33-year-old Rizzo matched his career high with 32 home runs this past season, batting .224/.338/.480 with 77 runs scored, 21 doubles and 75 RBIs in 130 games. Rizzo provided left-handed balance to the lineup while contributing a reliable glove at first base.

“He's been everything we could have hoped for,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said recently. “He’s been an amazing person in our clubhouse, an amazing teammate, amazing leader, very productive on the field. I think [he’s] very much cut out to play for the Yankees. He handles all that goes with playing here as one of the premium players and leaders so well.”

Rizzo and Aaron Judge developed a fast friendship during their 1 1/2 seasons as teammates. While Rizzo said he has been careful to give his buddy some space to navigate the free-agent market, Rizzo is hopeful that they will continue to be teammates in 2023 and beyond.

“He’s played here. He’s spent his whole career here, so I can’t really recruit him too hard,” Rizzo said. “He knows all the ins and outs here. He’s in such a beautiful position. He’s in the driver’s seat. This is a position that not too many guys get to be in, with the historic season. I think he’s going to enjoy this process, see what teams have to say -- rightfully so, because he’s earned this. Whatever he and [his wife] Sam think is the best decision, that’s where he should go.”

Judge will learn tonight if he has been selected as American League MVP. Who is the most recent Yankee to win that award?

A. Derek Jeter
B. Alex Rodriguez
C. Don Mattingly
D. Giancarlo Stanton

• Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said he recently had a face-to-face, one-on-one meeting with Judge, relaying that the Steinbrenner family hopes Judge will be a Yankee for his entire career. Naming Judge the team’s first captain since Derek Jeter is on the table. More >>

• Jose Trevino’s stellar defense was recognized this week, as the Bombers backstop became the first Yankees player to win a Rawlings Platinum Glove. Trevino led all Major League catchers with 21 defensive runs saved in 2022. More >>

• Judge will learn tonight if he was selected as AL MVP, with results to be announced at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network. Judge finished second to the Astros’ Jose Altuve in 2017, a season in which Judge unanimously won AL Rookie of the Year. More >>

Each week, we invite newsletter readers to share a treasured Yankees-related story or anecdote. This week, we feature an unforgettable moment from Jose Cesar of Mexico:

When I decided to propose to my girlfriend in June 2015, a trip to New York City and a Yankees game came to the top of the list. I thought about something unique rather than just getting my knee down in the stands. I bought a couple of tickets to be as close as possible to where the ballboy sat, put a ring inside a baseball and arranged to give it to the ballboy.

I told her it was my dream to catch a foul ball, or at least convince the ballboy to throw me one. Then, I suggested she ask for the ball instead, because it would be easier for her. She was jumping and dancing the whole game, trying to convince the ballboy. Finally, someone pulled a foul ball down the right-field line. Instead of throwing us the real game ball, he gave us one from his back pocket.

She immediately noticed that it was fluffy and semi-unstitched. I rapidly stripped the seams, and surprise! Confetti came out and an engagement ring was visible! All of this was on June 5, 2015; incredibly, on the same date seven years later, our first baby was born!

On this date in 1976, Thurman Munson received 18 of 24 first-place votes to best the Royals’ George Brett as the AL MVP. Munson, who helped lead New York to a pennant by hitting .302 with 17 homers and 105 RBIs in 152 games, was the first Yankee to be selected as AL MVP since Elston Howard in 1963.

“He’s a very important part of this team. He became an even better leader this year in the clubhouse. People gravitate toward him, the young players gravitate toward him. He’s very important to our fans, the fan base, my family and the organization. I’ve absolutely conveyed that I want him to be a Yankee for the rest of his life. No doubt about that, he knows that. The rest is up to him.” -- Steinbrenner, on Judge

B. Alex Rodriguez was selected as AL MVP in 2007, when he led the Majors in runs (143), homers (54), RBIs (156), slugging percentage (.645), OPS (1.067), OPS+ (176) and total bases (376). Technically, Stanton is the most recent of the four listed choices to win MVP, but it came in 2017 in the National League as a member of the Marlins.

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