Baseball great Ryne Sandberg, renowned for his time with the Chicago Cubs, passes away at 65 years old.
Ryne Sandberg, a legendary player and Hall of Famer known for his exceptional all-around skills, has died at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer. The news of his passing was confirmed by Sandberg's family in a statement, and it has been met with widespread mourning from fans and fellow players alike.
Sandberg spent the majority of his 16-season Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Chicago Cubs, where he became an iconic figure for the franchise. As a second baseman, he helped lead the Cubs to their first postseason appearance since 1945 by winning the National League East title in 1984, a breakthrough season that became a watershed moment for the team.
Throughout his career, Sandberg established himself as one of the finest defensive second basemen in history, achieving 10 consecutive All-Star selections and winning nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1983 to 1991. He set a major league record for fielding percentage at second base with .989 when he retired. Sandberg also won seven Silver Slugger Awards, tied for the most ever by a second baseman, and led the National League in runs scored three times.
In 1990, Sandberg recorded a personal best of 40 home runs, leading the NL that year, and setting the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman with 277 during his career. He won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1984 following his standout season and the famous “Ryne Sandberg Game” where he hit two game-tying home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals’ top closer Bruce Sutter. Sandberg also stole 54 bases in 1985 and consistently combined power, defense, and speed.
Sandberg held records for a second baseman with streaks of 123 consecutive errorless games overall and 90 games errorless in one season. He excelled in playoff appearances despite limited team postseason opportunities, batting .385 in 10 playoff games with productive power and run scoring.
After retiring, Sandberg went on to coach and manage in baseball, including managing the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015.
The Chicago Cubs have retired Sandberg's number 23 jersey in recognition of his contributions to the team, and a memorial service was held in Chicago to honour his memory. Sandberg's legacy as a Chicago Cubs legend and Hall of Famer continues, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in franchise and baseball history.
Our thoughts are with Sandberg's family during this difficult time.
References
- Ryne Sandberg - Baseball-Reference
- Ryne Sandberg - MLB.com
- Ryne Sandberg - National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Sandberg's storied Major League Baseball (MLB) career, primarily with the Chicago Cubs, culminated in his retirement as one of the greatest second basemen in the history of the sport. Notably, he set a major league record for fielding percentage and won seven Silver Slugger Awards, tying for the most ever by a second baseman.
