Ryne Sandberg: Profile of the Late Chicago Cub Legend

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The world of baseball has lost another icon.

Ryne Dee Sandberg, widely known as "Ryno" and a Chicago Cubs legend, has passed away at the age of 65.

His passing on Monday, July 28, 2025, brought profound sorrow to fans and colleagues across Major League Baseball.

Sandberg passed away after a long and tenacious battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

The diagnosis was first received in January 2024, marking the beginning of a difficult battle for the former second baseman.

Although initially declared cancer-free in August 2024, the disease returned four months later and had spread to other organs.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. offered his condolences, calling Ryne Sandberg a beloved figure and a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise.

Ryne Sandberg, a Chicago Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, passed away at the age of 65.

The sad news was confirmed on Monday, July 28, 2025, after undergoing intensive care.

Ryne Sandberg's cause of death was metastatic prostate cancer, which he had been battling since January 2024.

Although he had a brief period of hope when he was declared cancer-free in August 2024, the disease recurred and spread rapidly.

Sandberg's battle with cancer was a public event and demonstrated the same fortitude he displayed on the field.

His passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of baseball fans and the Chicago Cubs community.

Ryne Dee Sandberg was born on September 18, 1959, in Spokane, Washington.

Named after legendary New York Yankees pitcher Ryne Duren, Sandberg displayed a talent for baseball early on.

Sandberg was a multi-talented athlete, excelling in three sports (baseball, football, and basketball) during his high school years at North Central High School, graduating in 1978.

His professional career began when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.

Sandberg made his professional debut with the Phillies on September 2, 1981, marking the beginning of a remarkable career in Major League Baseball.

However, the turning point in his career came in January 1982, when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. This move would later become one of the decisions the Phillies management deeply regretted, given the tremendous contributions Sandberg had made to the Cubs over the years.

Ryne Sandberg spent 16 brilliant seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 1997.

He also played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.

Sandberg became a true superstar in 1984, leading the National League in bWAR, runs, and triples, while helping the Cubs end a 39-year postseason drought.

That same year, 1984, he was awarded the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, a recognition of his dominance on the field.

During his career, Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star, won nine Gold Glove Awards for his defensive excellence, and seven Silver Slugger Awards for his outstanding offensive ability.

One of his most notable accomplishments was leading the National League in home runs with 40 in 1990, making him the first second baseman to accomplish the feat since Rogers Hornsby in 1925.

He also holds the MLB record for a second baseman with 123 consecutive errorless games, including a record 90 consecutive games in a single season in 1989.

Sandberg retired after the 1997 season with a career batting average of .285, 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, and 344 stolen bases.

After ending his legendary playing career, Ryne Sandberg remained involved in baseball.

He served as a spring training instructor for the Chicago Cubs from 1998 to 2006, mentoring the next generation of young players.

Sandberg then began his managerial career in 2007 in the Cubs' minor league system, managing several teams, including the Peoria Chiefs (Single-A), Tennessee Smokies (Double-A), and Iowa Cubs (Triple-A).

His experience at the minor league level gave him a deep understanding of player development.

He then moved to the Phillies organization, serving as a minor league manager before moving up to bench coach.

Ultimately, Sandberg managed the Philadelphia Phillies for three seasons, from 2013 to 2015, demonstrating leadership at the highest level.

Ryne Sandberg's legacy in baseball is immense and widely recognized.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, the sport's highest honor, after receiving over 76% of the vote in his third year on the ballot.

As a lasting tribute, his jersey number was retired by the Cubs, making him the fourth Cubs player to receive the honor.

In 2024, the Chicago Cubs further cemented Sandberg's legendary status by unveiling a statue of him outside Wrigley Field, the team's headquarters.

The statue serves as a symbolic reminder of his contributions and profound impact on the franchise.

One of the most iconic moments of his career was "The Sandberg Game" in 1984, a nationally televised game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In that game, he hit two game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings, leading the Cubs to a dramatic 12-11 victory.

This heroic performance not only cemented his legend but also propelled the 1984 Cubs to success that season.

Ryne Sandberg will always be remembered as the quiet superstar who commanded attention with his combination of power, speed, and defense, making him one of the greatest baseball players of all time.