Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Cubs Icon, Dies at 65
The Chicago Cubs have announced the passing of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, one of the most beloved and iconic players in franchise history. He was 65.
Sandberg had been battling cancer and shared earlier this month that the past few months had been particularly difficult. On Monday evening, the Cubs confirmed the news on social media, stating, “With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today.”
Though best known for his legendary career with the Cubs, Sandberg also had strong ties to the Philadelphia Phillies, both as a player and later as a manager. After debuting with the Phillies in 1981, he was traded to Chicago prior to the 1982 season — a move that would shape the course of Cubs history.
During his time in Chicago, Sandberg became a perennial star. He won the National League MVP in 1984, earned 10 All-Star selections, and captured nine Gold Glove awards for his elite defense. He retired with a .285 career batting average, 282 home runs, and 1,061 RBIs, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. The Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey in honor of his contributions.
Following his playing career, Sandberg managed the Phillies from 2013 to 2015, though his deepest legacy remained with the Cubs. He remained actively involved with the organization and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Cubs’ 2025 home opener at Wrigley Field.
Earlier this year, Sandberg revealed that his cancer had returned and spread after initially announcing he was cancer-free in August 2024. Despite his health challenges, he continued to support the Cubs from afar, watching every game and staying close to the team.
Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts released a heartfelt statement following Sandberg’s passing:
“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. 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. Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family. ‘Ryno’ will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”
Ryne Sandberg’s legacy extends far beyond the field — he was a symbol of class, consistency, and passion for the game. He leaves behind a lasting mark not only on the Cubs, but on all of Major League Baseball.
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