An influential figure in Major League Baseball, Ryne Sandberg, died Monday at age 65 after a battle with cancer. Sandberg is remembered for his achievements as a player and his time as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015.
Sandberg spent most of his 16-year career with the Chicago Cubs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He was known for his combination of power, speed, and defense, which helped redefine the second base position.
“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,” said Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts on behalf of his family and the Cubs’ organization. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.
“He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father and grandfather.”
At retirement, Sandberg held the Major League record for home runs by a second baseman with 277. His accolades include ten All-Star selections, nine Gold Glove Awards, seven Silver Slugger trophies, and the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player Award.
“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,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “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.”
Sandberg’s national profile grew after a standout performance on June 23, 1984—known among fans as “The Ryne Sandberg Game”—in which he had five hits against St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bruce Sutter.
“My life changed a lot in 1984,” Sandberg said on the anniversary of that game in 2024 when he was honored with a statue outside Wrigley Field.
Born in Spokane, Washington in 1959, Sandberg excelled at three sports during high school before being drafted by Philadelphia in 1978. With guidance from Phillies director Dallas Green and scout Bill Harper—and despite signing to play football at Washington State University—he chose professional baseball instead.
Sandberg debuted with Philadelphia late in 1981 before being traded to Chicago ahead of the next season alongside Larry Bowa. In Chicago he moved from third base to second base by September ’82; by ’83 he won his first Gold Glove Award at that position—a streak that would last through ’91.
“He was never satisfied with what he did on the playing field,” Bowa said at Sandberg’s statue unveiling. “He was always prepared. He would take ground ball after ground ball, extra BP. You would never see Ryne Sandberg not prepared to play a baseball game.”
During Chicago’s division-winning campaign in ’84—its first since reaching postseason play since World War II—Sandberg hit .314 with significant contributions across several offensive categories while earning MVP honors.
“It was the kind of development that was right on time for me,” Sandberg said about changes made early in his career under manager Jim Frey’s direction. “I don’t think I would’ve handled that as a rookie… I just kept learning and adjusted throughout the years.”
Over his career Sandberg ranked among franchise leaders for home runs (282), doubles (403), stolen bases (344), hits (2,385), runs scored (1,316), extra-base hits (761), total bases (3,786) and games played (2,151). He also set defensive records including most consecutive errorless games by a second baseman (123) and highest fielding percentage (.989).
“The level of consistency and longevity that he did it is just incredible,” Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner said last year. “He’s definitely his own standard… Talk about a player that did everything on the baseball field.”
After retiring following the ’97 season—with number retired by Chicago—Sandberg began managing within minor league systems before leading Philadelphia from 2013-15.
In late ’23 Sandberg revealed publicly that he had metastatic prostate cancer; during subsequent public appearances—including at Wrigley Field last year—he reflected on personal connections forged through decades spent around baseball.
“My thoughts today are instead about love, life, family and friends,” Sandberg said when honored with a statue outside Wrigley Field last year. “I feel that love now… We are who we are and that was me. I love you guys.”
