Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, a beloved second baseman for the Chicago Cubs, died Monday at age 65. His family announced his passing on his verified Instagram page, citing his battle with metastatic prostate cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts, we announce that Ryne passed away tonight in the comfort of his home,” the family’s statement read. “Ryne was surrounded by his loving wife Margaret, their children, and grandchildren. We thank you for all of the kind words, support, and love during this difficult time. Ryne will forever be in our hearts.”
Sandberg, a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner over a 16-year career, captured the National League MVP award in 1984. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.”
Former Cubs manager Jim Frey once said of Sandberg, “I’ve never seen a player work harder, and it seemed like the better he got, the harder he worked.”
Affectionately known as “Ryno,” Sandberg began his professional career in 1981 with the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him out of high school. The Phillies traded him to the Cubs after one season, but Sandberg later returned to Philadelphia as a coach and manager.
The Phillies organization expressed devastation at his passing, noting, “He made a lifelong impact on so many including those who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him.”
Sandberg retired after the 1997 season, holding Major League Baseball’s then-record for home runs by a second baseman. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Hall of Fame, remembered Sandberg for his “relentless work ethic and an unshakable positive outlook.” She added, “We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Margaret, and his family, as we remember and celebrate his life.”
After revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024, Sandberg announced in August of that year that he was cancer-free. However, by December, he shared that his cancer had returned and “spread to other organs.”
Sandberg spoke about his health battle in June 2024 at the unveiling of his statue at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. “My life changed a lot in 1984,” he said, referencing his cancer diagnosis. “But that’s nothing compared to what happened six months ago. My thoughts today are instead about love, life, family and friends. I feel that love now. It was always there.”
On July 16, Sandberg posted on Instagram about his commitment to fighting the disease, expressing excitement for the Cubs’ second half and for “Wrigley rocking like 1984!”
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred also remembered Sandberg on Monday. “Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” Manfred said in a statement. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic.”
Manfred added, “Ryne remained active in the game he loved as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and in the Minor Leagues, and a frequent participant at the Hall of Fame. His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory.”
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne’s family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our National Pastime.”
