Baseball Hall of Famer and beloved Chicago Cubs icon, Ryne Sandberg, has died at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.
The Chicago Cubs confirmed the news on Monday via a statement on social media platform X, saying, “With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today.”
Sandberg, known affectionately as “Ryno,” spent 15 unforgettable seasons with the Cubs after a brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981. Traded to Chicago that same year, he quickly became a franchise cornerstone and one of the greatest second basemen in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
Over his illustrious career, Sandberg was selected for 10 All-Star Games, won nine Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence, and earned seven Silver Slugger Awards. He was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1984, a season where he batted .314 with 114 runs, 19 triples, 19 home runs, and 84 RBIs.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred paid tribute, calling Sandberg “a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed, and work ethic.”
“Ryne remained active in the game he loved… His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory,” Manfred said.
Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, also honored Sandberg’s legacy, praising his “relentless work ethic and unshakable positive outlook.” She highlighted his 2005 Hall of Fame induction speech as a testament to his character and deep respect for baseball.
Sandberg hit .285 over 2,164 career games with a .344 on-base percentage, 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, and 344 stolen bases. He led the National League in home runs in 1990 with 40 — an astonishing feat for a second baseman.
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Despite the Cubs only making two playoff appearances during his tenure, Sandberg made a strong impact in the postseason, batting .385 in 10 games with one home run, six RBIs, and three stolen bases.
After retiring, Sandberg returned to baseball as a manager, leading the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015 and continuing to mentor young players in the minor leagues and spring training camps.
Current Cubs manager Craig Counsell reflected on Sandberg’s visit to spring training earlier this year, saying, “It was an honor to be around a man battling for his life but still wanted to come to the baseball park and spend his day with us. We’re grateful for that time.”
Tributes also poured in from former teammates, including Cubs great Mark Grace, who said, “When you examine the offense and defense, you’ll find some years where he was the best player you’ve ever seen in your life.”
In 2023, the Cubs honored Sandberg with a statue outside Wrigley Field — a permanent reminder of his legendary career and impact on the game.
Sandberg is survived by his family, teammates, and countless fans who will forever remember his greatness both on and off the field.
