This is a sad day for baseball and the Cubs.
As you all know, Ryne Sandberg has been fighting prostate cancer for a couple of years.
Today, the team made this announcement:
The Chicago Cubs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg, 65, passed away today at his home, surrounded by his family, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.
“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 Chicago 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.”
Sandberg is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children, Justin (Ashley), Lindsey (Adam), Steven (Megan), BR (Katie), and Adriane, and his 11 grandchildren: Joshua, Micah, Eli, Brooklyn, Owen, Nathan, Weston, Adalyn, Bode, Stella, and Roman.
“Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family,” Ricketts said. “Ryno will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”
Here is a statement from the Commissioner’s office:
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who was 65:
“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball. He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic. Ryne earned 10 consecutive All-Star selections, nine straight Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and 1984 National League MVP honors.
“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.”
There are so many memories of this great player’s career that I can’t possibly do justice to them in this article. I will say that Sandberg is the first Hall of Fame player whose entire career I saw, from raw rookie in 1982 — I was in Cincinnati for his first game with the Cubs! — to the final game he played at Wrigley in 1997.
Sincere condolences to Sandberg’s family, friends, many teammates and all his fans around baseball, Cubs fans and others. He was 65 years old.
I will have a complete obituary for Sandberg, reviewing his entire Hall of Fame career, here tomorrow.