Wrigley Field is buzzing with nostalgia as the Chicago Cubs embark on a season-long celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their historic 2016 World Series victory. For Cubs fans, 2026 is more than just another baseball season—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the squad that finally broke the franchise’s infamous 108-year championship drought and delivered a moment that will live forever in baseball lore.
Central to the festivities are two of the most beloved figures from that unforgettable team: Anthony Rizzo and David Ross. These former teammates, who together anchored the clubhouse with their leadership and camaraderie, have reunited off the field to launch a brand-new podcast, “The Lovable Reunion.” Set to debut on March 31, the show promises to take fans behind the scenes of the 2016 title run, offering stories, insights, and memories that have never before been shared publicly.
“This is us alone,” Rizzo explained in a recent interview, emphasizing the independent nature of the project. “Me and Rossy were talking, and with the 10-year reunion we wanted to do this. Whenever we all get together, we just sit down and everyone tells stories. I always wanted to do a podcast after I was playing, and (Ian) Happ tried to always get me to do one while I was playing, but it was too much of a commitment.”
The podcast isn’t just a nostalgia trip for fans—it’s a passion project for its hosts. Rizzo, who retired in 2025 after a stellar 14-year major league career, has quickly found his footing in the broadcasting world, signing on as a studio analyst for NBC Sports and Netflix. He’s also continued to serve as a visible ambassador for the Cubs, throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley and soaking in the adulation of the fanbase that watched him blossom into a three-time All-Star and a cornerstone of the championship team.
Ross, meanwhile, wrapped up a 15-year playing career with that magical 2016 title. Following his retirement, he stepped into the manager’s role for the Cubs from 2020 through 2023, before returning to the media landscape with a new analyst deal at ESPN. Despite the ups and downs of their post-playing careers—including Ross’s abrupt managerial exit and Rizzo’s trade to the Yankees in 2021—both men remain, at heart, Chicago Cubs.
“Winning in 2016 is something I’ll carry with me forever. There’s so much from that season people never really got to see,” Rizzo reflected. “The Lovable Reunion goes back inside that run. We sit down with the guys and talk through what it really took to get there. Every player had a role. Every moment mattered. Now those stories are finally being told. Working with The Volume lets us bring fans right into that clubhouse and back into everything we experienced.”
The show, produced independently by Rizzo and Ross and distributed by The Volume network, will feature filmed interviews available on YouTube and other major platforms. The first few weeks will see two episodes drop per week, before settling into a mostly weekly rhythm. The hosts have already recorded several episodes, kicking things off with their old running buddy Jon Lester, the ace lefty whose postseason heroics became the stuff of legend.
Other confirmed guests read like a who’s who of Cubs history: 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant, manager Joe Maddon, pitchers Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Mike Montgomery, Kyle Hendricks, and Aroldis Chapman, outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward, shortstop Addison Russell, and utility man Ben Zobrist. Even former Cubs President Theo Epstein is on tap, along with coaches Eric Hinske and John Mallee, and media personalities such as Len Kasper and Pat Hughes may join if the podcast extends beyond players and coaches. Celebrity Cubs fans like Eddie Vedder could make appearances as well.
“We get down with these sitdowns, and the guys are ticked off they don’t get to travel around with us and get to hang out with everybody and hear the stories,” Ross said, describing the infectious energy of the recording sessions. “And they can’t believe when (it’s over). We’ll do a two-hour session, and the guys want to keep going. It’s amazing how much fun everyone has had doing this.”
While “The Lovable Reunion” is rooted in celebration, Rizzo and Ross aren’t shying away from the tough questions or the full spectrum of emotions that defined the 2016 journey. “Most of them are PG-13,” Rizzo joked about the content. “Some are rated R. But it’s really just candid talk, just us talking and cameras there. You wouldn’t even think it’s (a podcast). Once we get into an episode, it’s a lot of full-circle moments and a lot of stories from guys, like Mike Montgomery talking about growing up and some of the pitches he threw and being in the World Series closing out Game 7. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that was eye-opening even for me and Rossy, and a lot of stuff people have heard about, but now it’s coming from our mouths.”
Ross added that no topic was too sensitive to address. “I think we asked the stuff fans want to know,” he said. “We asked Joe about different moves in the World Series.” That includes the infamous decision to pull Kyle Hendricks early in Game 7 and bringing Aroldis Chapman back to the mound in Game 6 with a big lead. “He walks through all the plans,” Ross revealed. They even poked fun at old friends, with Ross laughing, “We asked Lester why he couldn’t throw to first base.”
For fans, the podcast is a long-awaited chance to hear the real stories from the people who lived them. Rizzo summed up the spirit of the project: “It’s all in good fun, it’s all celebrated stuff. But we ask the questions because that’s what everyone wants to know. And now it’s coming from the horse’s mouth, and not from, uh, Paul Sullivan.”
The Cubs’ 10th anniversary celebrations aren’t limited to the podcast. The team held an initial reunion at the Cubs Convention in January and has scheduled a major event for July 18, when the 2016 roster will be honored at Wrigley Field during a game against the Twins. Throughout the season, reminders of that magical year will be on display, with tributes, special guests, and plenty of opportunities for fans to relive the joy.
It’s clear that the 2016 Cubs, like the legendary 1985 Bears before them, have earned a permanent place in Chicago’s sporting heart. As Jed Hoyer and the current front office strive to build the “next great Cubs team,” the city continues to cherish the memories—and the personalities—that made the last one so special.
With “The Lovable Reunion” set to launch, Cubs fans everywhere are poised to take a seat at the table with their heroes, reliving the laughter, the drama, and the triumph of 2016. As the new season unfolds, one thing is certain: the legacy of that championship team is alive and well, and its stories are finally ready to be told.