Baseball great Ryne Sandberg, icon of the Chicago Cubs, passes away at the age of 65 following a prolonged fight with prostate cancer.
Ryne Sandberg, a beloved figure in the world of baseball and a hero to generations of Chicago Cubs fans, has passed away at the age of 65. The news was announced by the team on Monday.
Sandberg spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He started his pro career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 before being traded to Chicago the following year. In 1984, he was named the National League's MVP, and in 1990, he hit a remarkable 40 home runs, more than any other player that year.
Throughout his career, Sandberg won nine Gold Glove awards and had a batting average of .285. He also stole 344 bases and drove in 1,061 runs.
In 1992, Sandberg signed an unprecedented, $28.4 million contract to play another four years at Wrigley Field. However, in January 2024, he revealed he was battling metastatic prostate cancer. Seven months later, he announced that he was cancer-free. Unfortunately, in December 2024, Sandberg shared that his cancer had returned and had spread.
After the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, five years after the Series victory remained elusive for Sandberg, he returned to the team as an ambassador. He was honored with an honorary World Series ring.
Tom Ricketts, Cubs executive chairman, released a statement on behalf of the team and Sandberg's family. Ricketts described Sandberg's dedication to the game, integrity, and competitive spirit as hallmarks of his career. Ricketts also referred to Sandberg as a hero to a generation of Cubs fans.
Sandberg was married twice. He was first married to Cindy from 1979 to July 1995 and they had two children together, Justin and Lindsey. In August 1995, he married Margaret, who had three children from a previous marriage. No cause of death was given.
A statement from the team was released alongside a photo of Sandberg. The Chicago Cubs extended their deepest condolences to Sandberg's family, friends, and fans. Sandberg will forever be remembered as a baseball legend and an integral part of the Cubs' history.
