Chicago bids farewell to Ryne Sandberg, a legend etched in Cubs history

Chicago lost a baseball icon when Hall of Famer Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg passed away at age 65 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer, diagnosed in January 2024. He experienced a period of remission before learning late last year that the disease had returned and spread. The Cubs legend died peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife Margaret, children, and grandchildren.

Sandberg excelled as a multi-sport athlete at North Central High School in Spokane, Wash., before the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft. A trade to Chicago in 1982 set the stage for one of the franchise’s most storied careers.

Soft-spoken yet fiercely competitive, Sandberg redefined the second basemanposition with exceptional power, speed, and defense. Across 16 MLB seasons, 15 in a Cubs uniform, he compiled a .285 batting average, 282 home runs (277 as a Cub), 1,061 RBIs, and 2,386 hits. His landmark 1984 campaign earned him the NL MVP, the first of ten straight All-Star nods, nine consecutive Gold Gloves, and seven Silver Sluggers. That same year, the nationally televised “Sandberg Game” cemented his legend, as he launched game-tying home runs in both the 9th and 10th innings against St. Louis, putting the Cubs back on the baseball map.

From 2013 to 2015, Sandberg managed the Philadelphia Phillies before returning to Chicago as a goodwill ambassador following the Cubs’ 2016 championship. His time in Philadelphia was only one chapter of a career that ultimately earned him a place among baseball’s greatest.

Off the field, his generosity left a lasting mark on the city. With his wife Margaret, he founded Ryno Kid Care, a now-defunct Chicago charity supporting children with serious illnesses. The organization provided emotional support, home-cooked meals, mentoring, and even playful hospital visits from “clowns dressed up as doctors and nurses,” reflecting the compassion that matched his quiet leadership.

Read more at Chicago Star

• MLB All-Star Game will return to Wrigley Field 
• Chicago artist puts his stamp on USPS 250th anniversary
• DeMar DeRozan’s luxe listing has a Michael Jordan backstory
• The Savannah Bananas unleash Banana Ball mayhem on Chicago

Sandberg entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, the same year the Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey. In June 2024, the club unveiled a statue in his honor at Gallagher Way, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Sandberg Game.

Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts described him to ABC-7 as “a hero to a generation of Cubs fans and one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise.” This spring, his unexpected visit to camp reminded players of his enduring influence. “He just loved being around the game,” said Nico Hoerner. To honor that bond, the Cubs will wear a commemorative jersey patch and release a tribute T-shirt throughout the season.

Sandberg often credited Margaret as his “rock” during his public battle with cancer, sharing heartfelt gratitude in a Mother’s Day message last year. Following his passing, fans gathered outside Wrigley Field, leaving flowers and mementos at his statue. Many described him as more than a hero, an inspiration who played and lived with heart, humility, and unwavering dedication.

The loss of this Chicago legend leaves a voidgreater than any stat line could capture. As one fan put it during his statue unveiling, “This was a hero you wanted to meet, the one who wasn’t gonna let you down.” Ryno will be remembered forever as a legend, a gentleman, andanembodiment of Cubs baseball.