Ryne Sandberg, the former standout second baseman primarily remembered for his tenure with the Chicago Cubs, passed away at the age of 65, the team communicated on Monday. In January of the prior year, 2023, Sandberg shared his diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. Despite announcing in August that he was in remission, by December, the cancer had returned and spread to various organs.
“The late Ryne Sandberg was a monumental figure for the Chicago Cubs and a much-loved personality throughout Major League Baseball. His capabilities were extensive, demonstrating excellence in every aspect of the sport, fueled by his strength, agility, and committed effort. Sandberg’s achievements include being selected for 10 consecutive All-Star games, securing nine back-to-back Gold Glove awards, receiving seven Silver Slugger awards, and being honored as the 1984 National League MVP,” stated commissioner Rob Manfred.
“Ryne continued to engage with baseball, fulfilling roles such as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and within the Minor Leagues, as well as frequently participating in events at the Hall of Fame. His numerous associates in the baseball community offered their support during his courageous battle with cancer in recent years. We are committed to maintaining our support for the significant efforts of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I convey our deepest condolences to Ryne’s loved ones, Cubs supporters everywhere, and his admirers across our national sport.”
Over a career that spanned 16 seasons, including 15 with the Cubs, Sandberg achieved a batting average of .285, accumulating 2,386 hits, 403 doubles, 282 home runs, 1,061 RBI, 1,318 runs, and 344 stolen bases. In 1984, he was awarded the MVP title and achieved two other top-five MVP rankings. His accomplishments also included 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves, and seven Silver Slugger awards.
He further endeared himself to Cubs fans with the memorable Ryne Sandberg Game in 1984, where he hit two game-tying home runs against Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter during a nationally televised game, marking the beginning of his rise to stardom during his MVP-winning year. In that game, he went 5 for 6, contributing two home runs and seven RBI in a 12-11 victory for the Cubs after 11 innings. He remained a beloved figure among fans in Wrigleyville throughout his life.
Sandberg was honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, succeeding on his third attempt on the ballot.
“I struggle to find the right words to adequately describe the Cub fans who welcomed me with open arms as a rookie, showed patience during my initial struggles, and invited me into their homes and hearts, treating me as one of their own,” he expressed during his speech at Cooperstown. “They supported me when I faced challenges and propelled me to heights I never believed I could reach. They held me to a high standard of performance, and I strived to meet that standard consistently over many years.”
According to the JAWS metric, Sandberg is ranked 11th among all-time second basemen. At the time of his retirement, his record of 277 home runs as a second baseman set a new benchmark for the position. He is one of only five players in baseball history to achieve 40 home runs in a season while playing at least 75% of their games at second base, alongside Rogers Hornsby, Davey Johnson, Brian Dozier, and Marcus Semien. Joining Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio, he is among the select few second basemen to surpass 250 stolen bases and home runs.
“Ryne Sandberg was known for his relentless dedication and unwavering optimistic perspective,” said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, in her statement. “He used these attributes to motivate everyone around him. He regularly highlighted his respect for the integrity of the game, his teammates, and the Hall of Fame, particularly during his Induction speech in 2005. We offer our most sincere condolences to his wife, Margaret, and their family, as we remember and celebrate his life.”
Before Sandberg’s arrival, the Cubs had not participated in the postseason since 1945. He played in two National League Championship Series (NLCS) with the team. Although the Cubs were defeated in both series, Sandberg performed exceptionally well, hitting .385/.457/.641, with 15 hits in 39 at-bats, including five doubles, a triple, a home run, six RBI, and nine runs across his 10 playoff appearances.
Sandberg’s major league journey began with the Phillies in 1981 before he was traded to the Cubs. He later managed the Phillies from 2013 to 2015.
He rejoined the Cubs in 2016 as a “goodwill ambassador.” Together with his wife, Margaret, he established Ryno Kid Care, an organization “dedicated to improving the lives of children facing significant health challenges and providing support to their families through considerate, kind, and impactful programs.”
During the summer of 2024, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Sandberg during a ceremony that celebrated his career with the team, securing his legacy at Wrigley Field forever.
