Ryne Dee Sandberg, one of the most beloved figures in Chicago Cubs history, passed away yesterday after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 65. Before etching his name into baseball lore, Sandberg was a standout high school quarterback, talented enough to earn a scholarship offer from Washington State. But fate had other plans. In 1978, the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 20th round of the MLB Draft.
Photo Cred: Baseball Hall of Fame
Choosing baseball over football, Sandberg embarked on a journey that would ultimately lead to Cooperstown. After a few years in the minors, Sandberg made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1981. However, playing time was limited on a roster stacked with infield stars—Larry Bowa at shortstop, Manny Trillo at second, and Mike Schmidt at third. In what would become one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history, the Phillies dealt Sandberg and Bowa to the Cubs for shortstop Iván DeJesús in 1982.
The rest, as they say, is history. In Chicago, Sandberg blossomed into a superstar. He became a 10-time All-Star—earning selections in 10 consecutive seasons—and won nine Gold Glove Awards at second base. In 1984, he captured the National League MVP award, and over his career, he also collected seven Silver Slugger Awards, tying Jose Altuve for the most ever by a second baseman. Midway through the 1994 season, Sandberg shocked the baseball world by stepping away from the game, citing a loss of competitive fire. He explained his decision with trademark honesty:
“The reason I retired is simple: I lost the desire that got me ready to play on an everyday basis for so many years. Without it, I didn’t think I could perform at the same level I had in the past, and I didn’t want to play at a level less than what was expected of me by my teammates, coaches, ownership, and most of all, myself.”
He returned to the Cubs in 1996 and played two more seasons, during which he surpassed Joe Morgan as the all-time home run leader among second basemen—a mark later eclipsed by Jeff Kent. Sandberg retired for good at the end of the 1997 season. In 2005, in his third year on the ballot, Sandberg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Photo Cred: People
His love for the game endured beyond his playing days. In 2013, he returned to the Phillies as their manager, a role he held for parts of three seasons. Though his managerial stint was brief, his presence in the baseball world remained constant. Whether mentoring young players or simply being around the ballpark, Sandberg was a steady, respected figure in the community. I had the privilege of meeting Ryne Sandberg during the 2019 MLB season while working with the Cubs.
He was everything you hope a childhood hero would be—kind, humble, and generous with his time. He spoke with everyone—fans, staff, media—with the same warmth and sincerity, making each person feel seen and valued. Baseball lost more than a Hall of Famer. It lost a true gentleman of the game.
Rest in peace, Ryno. Your legacy will live forever.
