Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs Legend, Dead At 65

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has passed away.

The Chicago Cubs just announced the sad news, revealing that the former second baseman died on Monday after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He was 65 years old.

“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,” Cubs executive Tom Ricketts said in a statement.

“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather.”

Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in 1978 and played with the Cubs from 1982 to 1997, where he achieved 10 All-Star selections, an MVP award, nine Gold Gloves, and a Home Run Derby victory.

In 2005, Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and in 2024, the Cubs honored him with a statue at Wrigley Field.

Sandberg, whose No. 23 jersey is retired by the Cubs, announced his battle with cancer in January 2024. Despite initially successful treatment, he sadly revealed a recurrence of the disease in December.

The Cubs, who were playing a game against the Brewers when Sandberg’s passing was announced, will honor his memory by wearing a jersey patch for the remainder of the season.