Ryne Sandberg dies at 65: Hall of Fame second baseman spent 16 years in MLB, primarily with the Cubs

The second goal player of the renowned temple Ryne Sandberg, known mainly for his time with the Cubs, died at 65, the team announced on Monday. Sandberg announced in January 2023 that he had received a diagnosis of cancer from the metastatic prostate. In August, Sandberg said he was declared without cancer, but in December the disease was back and spread to other organs.

“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout the major baseball league. He was a five tool player who excelled in all the facets of the game thanks to his power, his speed and his work ethics. Ryne won 10 consecutive All-Star selections, nine consecutive gold gloves, seven light and 1984 MVP National League, “said Commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement.

“Ryne has remained active in the game he loved as an ambassador for cubs, a manager for phillies and in minor leagues, and a frequent participant in the temple of renown. His many friends through the game were in his corner when he fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of supporting cancer in the memory of Ryne.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I present my biggest condolences to the Ryne family, fans of cubs around the world and its admirers throughout our national hobby.”

In some parts of 16 seasons, 15 with the Cubs, Sandberg struck .285 with 2,386 strokes, 403 doubles, 282 circuits, 1,061 products produced, 1,318 points and 344 stolen bases. He won the 1984 MVP and experienced two other MVP finishes among the first five, accumulating 10 All-Star appearances, nine gold gloves and seven silver sluggers in the process.

He also attacked the fans of the Cubs with the match of Ryne Sandberg in 1984, hitting two Home Run Run on the temple of renown Bruce Sutter during a national program and launching his celebrity during his MVP season. He went 5 for 6 with the two circuits and seven points produced during a victory of 12-11 and 11 rounds and was a favorite of fans in Wrigleyville for the rest of his life.

Sandberg was inducted at the baseball renowned temple in 2005, his third test on the ballot.

“I do not have the words to describe the fans of Cub who welcomed me as a recruit, were patients through my beginning 1 for 32, and took me to their homes and in their hearts and treated me as a family member,” he said during his speech as Cooperstown. “You took me when I was broken. You lifted me at heights that I didn’t know I could reach. You expected a certain level of play on my part and you made me play at this level for a long time.”

According to the Jaws standard, Sandberg is 11th in the second base player. When he retired, his 277 circuits as a second goal player were a record for the position. He is one of the five players in history to reach 40 circuits during a season in which he played at least 75% of his games in the second with Rogers Hornsby, Davey Johnson, Brian Dozier and Marcus Semien. He joined Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio as the only second basic player to have exceeded 250 stolen bases and circuits.

“Ryne Sandberg had an incessant work ethics and an unshakable positive perspective,” said Jane Forbes Clark, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, in a press release. “With that, he inspired all those who knew him. He always underlined his respect for the way the game should be played, for his teammates and for the temple of fame, especially during his speech of enthronement in 2005. We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Margaret and his family, as we remember and celebrate his life.”

When Sandberg arrived, the Cubs have not been in the playoffs since 1945. He played in two NLC with the team. Although the Cubs lost the two series, Sandberg struck. 385 / .457 / .641, going 15 for 39 with five doubles, a triple, a home run, six points produced and nine points in its 10 qualifying games.

Sandberg came with the Phillies in 1981 before being exchanged to the Cubs, then managed the Phillies of 2013-2015.

He joined the Cubs in 2016 as “goodwill ambassador”. He and his wife, Margaret, founded Ryno Kid Care, who was “dedicated to improving the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families, providing favorable, comparable and significant programming”.

In the summer of 2024, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Sandberg during a ceremony to honor his career with the ball club, immortalizing it forever in Wrigley Field.