Legendary second baseman Ryne Sandberg succumbs to cancer, ends a valiant fight
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman and one of the greatest players in Chicago Cubs history, has died at the age of 65. Sandberg's career with the Cubs was distinguished by outstanding offensive and defensive achievements, making him a beloved icon in Chicago.
Sandberg played 15 seasons with the Cubs, during which he compiled a .285 batting average, 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, 344 stolen bases, and scored 1,318 runs overall in his 16-year MLB career primarily with Chicago and briefly with Philadelphia. He was notable for his 9 Gold Glove awards at second base, showcasing his exceptional defense, and won 1 MVP award and 7 Silver Slugger awards, highlighting his offensive prowess.
In 1984, Sandberg hit 19 triples, including 13 at Wrigley Field, which remains a Cubs single-season record. Over his career, he totaled 76 triples. He also posted seasons with 30+ steals five times and had two seasons with exactly 100 RBIs. Sandberg was selected to 10 All-Star teams during his career, further underlining his elite status in the game.
Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest Cubs and second basemen in MLB history.
Key Career Statistics and Achievements with the Chicago Cubs
| Statistic/Achievement | Value | |----------------------------|----------------------| | MLB Seasons (mostly Cubs) | 15+ years | | Batting Average | .285 | | Hits | 2,386 (career total) | | Home Runs | 282 | | RBIs | 1,061 | | Runs Scored | 1,318 | | Stolen Bases | 344 | | Gold Glove Awards | 9 | | Silver Slugger Awards | 7 | | MVP Awards | 1 | | All-Star Appearances | 10 | | Consecutive Errorless Games| 123 (MLB record at 2B)| | Fielding Percentage at 2B | .989 (MLB record) | | Triples in 1984 Season | 19 (includes 13 at Wrigley, a franchise record) | | Led NL in Home Runs | 40 in 1990 | | Led NL in Runs Scored | 3 times | | Home Run Derby Win | 1990 at Wrigley Field|
His combination of power, speed, and legendary defense made him a five-tool player and a beloved Chicago Cubs icon. Sandberg led the Chicago Cubs back to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers. However, the Cubs lost to San Francisco in the NLCS, and Sandberg batted .400 (8 for 20) in the series.
Sandberg was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in January 2024 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Despite his illness, he remained a beloved figure in Chicago, with former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace describing him as a superhero.
Sandberg retired after the 1997 season, holding the record for the most homers as a second baseman in major league history. The Cubs retired Sandberg's No. 23 in the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. A statue of Sandberg was unveiled outside Wrigley Field in 2024.
Sandberg will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the Chicago Cubs community. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
- Ryne Sandberg - Baseball Reference
- Ryne Sandberg - MLB.com
- Ryne Sandberg - ESPN
- Ryne Sandberg - Sportscasting.com
Sandberg's impressive career in Major League Baseball, particularly with the Chicago Cubs, highlighted his prowess as a five-tool player. Beyond his .285 batting average, 282 home runs, and 1,061 RBIs, he also showcased his exceptional speed with 344 stolen bases and exceptional defense with 9 Gold Glove awards at second base. His legacy in baseball extends beyond the Cubs, with Sandberg being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and his No. 23 being retired by the Cubs in the same year.
