Baseball League News: Updates from Major League Baseball
Ryne Sandberg, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball (MLB) and a beloved member of the Chicago Cubs franchise, has sadly passed away at the age of 65. He died at his home on Monday, surrounded by his family.
Sandberg's career with the Chicago Cubs spanned 15 years, during which he compiled an impressive batting average of .285 with 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, and 344 stolen bases. His performances at second base were equally remarkable, earning him nine consecutive Gold Glove awards (1983–1991) and setting a major league record with a .989 fielding percentage at that position when he retired.
Achievements with the Cubs
Sandberg's tenure with the Cubs was marked by numerous accolades. In 1984, he was named the National League's Most Valuable Player (MVP), batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples, and 114 runs scored, leading the Cubs to the NL East title.
He also won seven Silver Slugger Awards, tied for the most by a second baseman in MLB history. In 1990, he won the Home Run Derby and his number 23 was retired by the Cubs in 2005, making him only the fourth player in franchise history to receive this honour.
Sandberg was selected to 10 All-Star teams during his tenure with Chicago. Despite the Cubs making only two postseason appearances while he was on the team, Sandberg's individual performance was outstanding. He hit .400 (8 for 20) in the NLCS in 1989, but Chicago lost to San Francisco.
Post-Cubs Career and Hall of Fame Induction
After his retirement from the Cubs, Sandberg managed Philadelphia from August 2013 to June 2015, going 119-159. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, recognising his impact and legacy with the Cubs and in baseball overall.
Sandberg's career was not without challenges. In January 2024, he announced he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Despite treatment, the cancer returned and spread to other organs in December 2024.
Legacy and Tributes
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred called Sandberg a "legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball." Chicago won the NL East in the 1984 season, the year Sandberg was the MVP, and unveiled a statue of Sandberg outside Wrigley Field on the anniversary of "The Sandberg Game" in 2024.
Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sandberg "will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise." Sandberg was selected out of high school by Philadelphia in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft.
Sandberg's passing leaves a significant void in the world of baseball, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on. He will be remembered not only for his exceptional skills on the field but also for his leadership, sportsmanship, and the indelible mark he left on the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball as a whole.
Sandberg's incredible MLB career, primarily with the Chicago Cubs, was highlighted by multiple accolades, including the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, seven Silver Slugger Awards, and induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. His number 23 was also retired by the Cubs, making him one of only four players in the franchise's history to receive this honor.
