Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies at 65
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Ryne Sandberg swings for the fences at Wrigley Field in 1984. Photo: Walter Looss Jr./Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
The big picture: The Hall of Fame second-baseman played 15 seasons for the Cubs, which included 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and nine straight Gold Glove Awards.
- Sandberg retired abruptly in 1994, but returned to the Cubs in 1996 before retiring again in 1997. After that, he served as an ambassador, broadcaster and coach for the organization. He also managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015.
What they're saying: "Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement Monday night.
- "His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career."
Context: The fan favorite came to Chicago in 1982 after a trade with the Phillies.
- He went on to become the Cubs' starting second baseman, hitting .285 for his career while slugging 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs and stealing 344 bases.
Flashback: Sandberg was honored with a statue at Wrigley Field in June 2024 during the 40th anniversary of the "Sandberg Game," in which he hit two late-inning home runs during a game versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
- He was named the NL MVP that season, leading the Cubs to the National League Championship Series.
- He hit 40 home runs in 1990, only the third second baseman to achieve that feat at the time.
- He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey the same year.
Sandberg was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024. He announced the cancer was in remission, but it returned late last year. He kept fans up to date on his treatment, announcing in mid-July that he was continuing to fight the disease.
The bottom line: Sandberg will live forever in Chicago's collective mind as one of the best to ever suit up for the Cubs.