Ryne Sandberg, the quiet superstar who helped redefine the second base position and became a beloved icon of Chicago Cubs baseball, passed away on July 28, 2025, after a valiant battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 65.
A symbol of grit, humility, and excellence, Sandberg left behind a towering legacy that extends far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field. With a blend of power, speed, and unmatched defensive skill, “Ryno” became one of the greatest to ever wear a Cubs uniform.
Initially drafted by the Phillies in 1978, Sandberg’s career took flight after a trade to the Cubs in 1982. Over 15 seasons in Chicago, he amassed a .285 batting average, 282 home runs (277 as a second baseman, then a record), 1,061 RBIs, 344 stolen bases, and an immeasurable impact on the game. He was a 10-time All-Star, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, a seven-time Silver Slugger, and the 1984 National League MVP. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, and his number 23 was retired by the Cubs shortly after.
Sandberg played 15 of his 16 seasons with the Cubs, and during that time became a household name to fans across the country, not only for his stellar play, but because of his near-daily appearances on WGN-TV. As the Cubs’ games were broadcast nationwide on the superstation, Sandberg’s poise, hustle, and signature stoicism became part of the daily rhythm for millions of fans. He wasn’t just a Chicago favorite—he was a baseball hero coast to coast.
“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,” said Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire, were hallmarks of his career.”
The defining moment of Sandberg’s career came on June 23, 1984, in what would be immortalized as “The Sandberg Game.” Facing the rival St. Louis Cardinals, Sandberg notched five hits, seven RBIs, and launched two game-tying homers off Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. It wasn’t just a Cubs win; it was Sandberg’s national coming-out party and the emotional engine for a Cubs playoff run.
Sandberg’s consistency was legendary. He ranks in the top five in Cubs history in homers, doubles (403), stolen bases (344), hits (2,385), runs scored (1,316), extra-base hits (761), total bases (3,786), and games played (2,151). He also set records for second basemen with 123 consecutive errorless games and a .989 fielding percentage.
“He was never satisfied with what he did on the playing field,” said former teammate Larry Bowa. “You would never see Ryne Sandberg not prepared to play a baseball game.”
After retiring in 1997, Sandberg transitioned into coaching and managing, including a stint as the Phillies’ skipper from 2013 to 2015. He later returned to the Cubs as a beloved ambassador, frequently appearing at the Cubs Convention and participating in team celebrations.
In 2024, a statue of Sandberg was unveiled outside Wrigley Field, capturing him in a defensive stance—a fitting tribute to a player who took immense pride in his glove. Reflecting on his life and career that day, Sandberg told the crowd: “My thoughts today are instead about love, life, family, and friends. I feel that love now. It was always there. But I was too busy grinding out an extra 60 ground balls every morning to know that it was happening.”
He is survived by his wife Margaret, their children and stepchildren, and 11 grandchildren. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Sandberg not just for his talent but for his courage: “His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years.”
Ryne Sandberg wasn’t just a player. He was a standard. A model of grace, excellence, and quiet leadership. The heartbeat of a franchise and the soul of a city.
Rest in peace, Ryno.
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