Baseball fans across the world are mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who passed away at 65.
His death came after a long and difficult battle with prostate cancer. The Chicago Cubs confirmed the news on Monday, July 28, describing his passing as a major loss to the game and the club’s long history.
Sandberg had first shared his diagnosis in January 2024, bravely informing the public about his condition.
He later revealed in December that the cancer had sadly returned, despite undergoing treatment earlier in the year.
The Cubs, who were on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers when the news broke, expressed deep sorrow.
They announced that the team would wear a special jersey patch to honor his memory for the rest of the season.
In a heartfelt statement, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said, “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.”
He went on to praise Sandberg’s spirit, saying, “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.”
Ryne Sandberg, often known simply as “Ryno” to fans, made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.
However, it was his 15-year stretch with the Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1997 that built his lasting legacy.
During that time, he was named to 10 All-Star teams, won nine Gold Glove Awards, and earned the 1984 National League MVP title.
In addition, he took home a Home Run Derby win, with his No. 23 jersey eventually retired by the Cubs.
In 2005, Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Cubs further honored him in 2024 with a statue at Wrigley Field, a testament to his lasting impact on the sport.
More importantly, beyond the field, Sandberg was remembered as a devoted family man. Ricketts emphasized this in his tribute: “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.”
His passing has left a deep void not just in Chicago, but throughout the Major League Baseball community and beyond.
