Remembering Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg: A Baseball Legend Who Made Us Believe
On July 28, 2025, the world of baseball lost one of its greatest icons. Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg passed away at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer . His legacy—woven into the fabric of Chicago Cubs history, the National League, and the sport itself—remains timeless.
⚾ Career & Field Excellence
Sandberg was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978 and made his MLB debut in 1981. Shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Cubs in 1982—where he flourished, anchoring second base with elite defense, leadership, and clutch hitting. Over 15 seasons in Chicago, Sandberg earned:
10 All-Star selections
9 Gold Glove Awards at second base
7 Silver Slugger Awards
1984 National League MVP
A career batting average of .285, with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs .
His most unforgettable moment came on June 23, 1984, in what fans forever remember as The Sandberg Game. Facing the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit two game-tying home runs in the 9th and 10th innings—securing an 11–11 tie and leading the Cubs to an eventual comeback victory .
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🏆 Honors & Legacy
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey the same year.
A bronze statue honoring Sandberg was unveiled outside Wrigley Field on the 40th anniversary of The Sandberg Game in June 2024 .
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💛 Fighter to the End
Sandberg bravely shared his health struggles with fans. In January 2024, he disclosed his diagnosis with metastatic prostate cancer. By August, he announced he was cancer-free—but sadly, by December 2024, the disease had returned and had spread to other organs .
Despite the setback, Sandberg remained resilient. In mid‑July 2025, he wrote:
> “While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”
He passed away at home surrounded by his wife Margaret, children, stepchildren, and grandchildren .
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