Remembering Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg (1959-2025)

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

The beloved Cubs second baseman was a five-tool model of consistency in the 1980s and early ’90s, making 10 consecutive All-Star teams and winning 9 straight Gold Glove awards.

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Ryan Samberg’s career as a player and manager spanned parts of 19 big league seasons. For 15 of those years, Ryan man second base for the Chicago Cubs. He was a baseball superstar who brought a power speed combo to the top of the Cubs lineup and played virtually error-free defense at second base. Ryan Sandberg, the all-time leader. 480 chances. Airless for Sandberg. With a tireless work ethic and a genuine sense of humility, he endeared himself to a generation of Cubs fans, becoming one of the most popular players in franchise history. Rhino, as he was affectionately known, was a 10-time all-star, seventime silver slugger winner, tied for the most ever by a second baseman, and won nine consecutive gold gloves, cementing his reputation as one of the finest defenders of his era. Sandberg ranks among the Cubs top five in several categories including games played, runs scored, stolen bases, hits, doubles, and home runs. That’s a drive right back. It might be near the wall. It could be. An all-time icon of the franchise, he’s one of only six players to have his number retired by the Cubs. Ryan D. Sandberg was born in Spokane, Washington on September 18th, 1959. In high school, he was a standout athlete in basketball, football, and of course, baseball. I was playing three sports, you know, year round then, so you know, I didn’t know which sport I was going to play or which one I wanted to play. So, after high school, I thought baseball would be the best for me. In the summer of 1978, he was drafted in the 20th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. He made his major league debut in 1981. After that season, Sandberg was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Ryan wasn’t an overnight sensation with his new team, and the Cubs struggled on the field in his first two years. But in 1984, the Cubs put it all together with Sandberg leading the way. And in June, he burst onto the national scene with a game for the ages. NBC Sports presents the Major League Baseball Game of the Week. And today from Wrigley Field, it’s the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Chicago Cubs. It was the Saturday game of the week, which was a big deal. And which as the players, we call it the game of the world because everybody was watching. The Cardinals jump out, I think, to a 9-3 lead and the Cubs come back and it’s 9 to8 as they come up in the ninth. I’d already had a good game going, had three or four hits at that time, which as an offensive player, you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. And Bruce Sudter, former Cub, now Cardinal, premier relief pitcher in the National League, faces San into left center field and deep. This is a tie ball game. Going around the bases, the crowd went nuts. Sandberg into the bleachers and left tied it at nine. And then I came up again. I think it was two innings later. Bruce still in there pitching. Two out. Last chance for the Cubs. Up comes Sandberg to face Sudter. Identical swing pitch and results. Deep left center. Look out. Do you believe it? It’s gone. [Applause] The Cubs eventually win the game. And that game is still called the Sandberg game because it was so dramatic. because the whole country saw it. That’s what kind of put Brian Sandberg on the map. That one game brought me to a different level as far as thinking myself as a baseball player. I got to live up to that, you know, not only tomorrow, but you know, I I have to live up to that the rest of the year, which which I thought I did. On the strength of what became known as the Sandberg game, Ryan was voted starting second baseman for the National League All-Star team, the first of 10 consecutive elections. He also went on to win the 1984 National League MVP. Rhino, you’re awesome, brother. You are awesome. And led the Cubs into the playoffs for the first time in 39 years. However, the trip to the playoffs ended in disappointment, as did another appearance in 1989. Rhino, for his part, however, continued to turn in MVP caliber performances, collecting several personal milestones throughout his career. There’s a drive way back. Number 40. Number 40, Rhino hits his 40th home run. In 1990, he led the National League in home runs and became just the third second baseman to reach the 40 home run mark. By the end of his career, Ryan was on the verge of a milestone that would cement his place amongst the greatest players the game had ever seen. Daniel way back the recordbreaking home run, Ryan Sandberg. He has now hit more home runs than any second baseman in history. How about that? He retired in 1997. And in 2005, Ryan Sandberg was recognized among the game’s all-time greats with membership into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way. That I played the game the way it was supposed to be played. I don’t know about that. But I do know this. If there is a single reason I am here today, it is because of one word, respect. Thank you. And go Cubs. [Applause]