Chicago Cubs ‘ Ryne Sandberg slugs a triple throughout Wednesday, Aug. 29, 1984 recreation towards the Cincinnati Reds in Chicago.
John Swart/AP
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John Swart/AP
CHICAGO — Ryne Sandberg, a Corridor of Fame second baseman who turned certainly one of baseball’s finest all-around gamers whereas starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
Sandberg was surrounded by his household when he died at his house on Monday, in response to the staff.
Sandberg introduced in January 2024 that he had been identified with metastatic prostate most cancers. He had chemotherapy and radiation remedies, after which stated in August 2024 that he was cancer-free.
However he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his most cancers had returned and unfold to different organs. He introduced this month that he was nonetheless preventing, whereas “wanting ahead to benefiting from on daily basis with my loving household and associates.”
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts stated Sandberg “will likely be remembered as one of many all-time greats in practically 150 years of this historic franchise.”
“His dedication to and respect for the sport, alongside along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and aggressive fireplace have been hallmarks of his profession,” Ricketts stated within the staff’s assertion.
Sandberg was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He was chosen out of highschool by Philadelphia within the twentieth spherical of the 1978 novice draft.
He made his main league debut in 1981 and went 1 for six in 13 video games with the Phillies. In January 1982, he was traded to Chicago together with Larry Bowa for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus.
It changed into one of the vital lopsided offers in baseball historical past.
Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 15 years with Chicago. He made 10 All-Star groups — successful the House Run Derby in 1990 — and took house 9 Gold Gloves.
“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved determine all through Main League Baseball,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated. “He was a five-tool participant who excelled in each aspect of the sport due to his energy, pace and work ethic.”
Even with Sandberg’s stellar play, the Cubs made simply two postseason appearances whereas he was in Chicago.
He was the NL MVP in 1984, batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples and 114 runs scored. Chicago gained the NL East and Sandberg hit .368 (7 for 19) within the playoffs, however the Cubs have been eradicated by San Diego after successful the primary two video games of the Nationwide League Championship Collection at Wrigley Discipline.
“I’ve by no means seen a participant work tougher, and it appeared like the higher he bought, the tougher he labored,” former Cubs supervisor Jim Frey stated.
The 1984 season featured what Cubs followers nonetheless name “The Sandberg Recreation,” when he homered twice and drove in seven runs in a 12-11 victory over St. Louis in 11 innings on June 23.
Chicago paid tribute to Sandberg and that recreation when it unveiled a statue of the infielder outdoors Wrigley Discipline on that date in 2024.
“Ryno was an excellent teammate and clearly an excellent participant,” Corridor of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux instructed The Related Press in a textual content message. “He led by instance on the sector and a mentor off. I used to be fortunate to know him.”
Sandberg led Chicago again to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers because the Cubs gained the NL East. He batted .400 (8 for 20) within the NLCS, however Chicago misplaced to San Francisco in 5 video games.
Sandberg set a profession excessive with an NL-best 40 homers in 1990 and drove in a career-best 100 runs in 1990 and 1991, however he by no means made it again to the postseason. When he retired after the 1997 season, he had hit probably the most homers as a second baseman in main league historical past.
“He was a superhero on this metropolis,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stated throughout a TV broadcast of the staff’s recreation on July 20. “You consider (Michael) Jordan, Walter Payton and Ryne Sandberg all right here on the identical time, and I am unable to think about an individual dealing with their fame higher, their duty for a metropolis higher than he did.”
Sandberg was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 2005, receiving 76.2% of the vote by the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America in his third strive on the poll. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that very same yr.
“Whenever you look at the offense and protection, you will discover some years the place he was the very best participant you have ever seen in your life,” former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace stated.
Sandberg additionally managed within the minors with Chicago and Philadelphia earlier than he turned the third base coach for the Phillies. He was promoted to interim supervisor when Charlie Manuel was fired in August 2013, and he had a 119-159 document when he resigned with the Phillies in the midst of a tough 2015 season.
“Not solely was he a Corridor of Famer, he was a person who personified class and dignity,” Phillies managing associate and CEO John Middleton stated in an announcement. “We have been honored that he was a part of our group.”
Sandberg spent a while across the Cubs throughout spring coaching this yr, and supervisor Craig Counsell stated it meant rather a lot to everybody on the staff.
“We’re grateful that he was keen to spend that point with us when issues weren’t going nice for him,” Counsell stated after the staff’s recreation at Milwaukee. “It is a unhappy day for the Chicago Cubs. He was an excellent Cub.”
