CHICAGO — Ryne Sandberg meant so much to Cubs fans and the City of Chicago that it’s impossible to think of him as just a baseball player.
But in his own Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 2005, Sandberg said, quite simply, that’s exactly what he was and would always be.
“I’m a baseball player,” Sandberg said then. “I’ve always been a baseball player. I’m still a baseball player.”
Yet “Ryno” meant so much more than that to so many people, even more than his considerable baseball achievements — 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger Awards and the 1984 NL MVP Award — on the field.
Sandberg died at the age of 65 after battling cancer, the Cubs making the announcement Monday night while the team was in Milwaukee opening a three-game series against the Brewers.
By early Tuesday morning, Cubs fans were already making their way to Wrigley Field to pay their respects to Sandberg, who has a statue outside the ballpark. The famous Wrigley Field marquee reads: “Ryne ‘Ryno’ Sandberg 1959-2025.”
One fan said he was “still in shock” over the news of Sandberg’s death and had to go to Wrigley Field early Tuesday morning to see for himself.
“It wasn’t official to me until I saw it on the marquee,” he said.
Another fan said Sandberg was the player everyone wanted to be like growing up in the 1980s.
“Growing up as a kid, (he’s) the one that you wanted to be like,” the fan said.
That sentiment reminded another fan of his own father.
“First thing I thought of was my dad, because he was watching (Sandberg) since he was a kid,” that fan said.
Lou Cella, the man who sculpted the Sandberg statue — unveiled in June 2024 — was one of those paying their respects Tuesday morning outside Wrigley Field.
“I watched Ryne Sandberg’s whole career,” Cella said. “I was here in 1984 for what became known as the ‘Sandberg Game.’ So this has been really difficult. … He treated everybody at our studio just very warmly, just very kind. It hit everybody hard when we first heard he had the cancer.
“I’m really going to miss seeing him around the ballpark and seeing those occasional interviews he would do. I will be forever grateful to the Cubs for giving me the task of creating the statue, because it will always mean a great deal to me and my family.”
Cubs fan Joe Kolb used the word “pure” to describe what he thought of Sandberg’s character, on and off the field.
“Ryne Sandberg was a pure Chicago Cub, a pure baseball player, a pure human being,” Kolb said. “He never tarnished the game, he never tarnished himself outside the game. He was a great father, a loving husband and a great grandfather. That, to me, is what I’ll remember.
“… He gave everything he had. You were coming to see him.”
Cubs, MLB react
Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts issued an initial statement on behalf of the Cubs and the Ricketts family.
“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise. His dedication 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 to the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret (Sandberg’s wife), his children and his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family. ‘Ryno’ will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”
Tom Ricketts, Cubs Executive Chairman
MLB also pinned a statement on Sandberg atop its X feed.
“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. On June 23, 1984, a national TV audience watched Sandberg hit a pair of game-tying home runs in the 9th and 10th innings off Cardinals closer and future Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. Part of a magical Cubs Postseason run, the game is forever remembered in Chicago as ‘The Sandberg Game.’
“He went on to win the 1984 NL MVP Award. Over 16 seasons, Sandberg slugged 282 home runs, 277 of which were as a second baseman, then a Major League record. He hit 25+ homers five times and stole 30+ bases five times. Sandberg made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1981 and later managed them for parts of three seasons. On June 23, 2024, the 40th anniversary of his iconic moment, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Sandberg outside Wrigley Field. Sandberg bravely battled cancer the last two years. He was 65.”
Major League Baseball
Additionally, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred commented in a Sandberg obituary on MLB.com.
“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.”
Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner
While the Cubs are the franchise Sandberg is obviously most associated with, he came up in the Philadelphia Phillies organization and played in 13 games with the Phillies in 1981 before being traded to the Cubs. Then, after his playing career, Sandberg was the Phillies’ manager for parts of three seasons from 2013-15.
The Phillies issued a statement on Sandberg’s passing.
“The Phillies family is devastated to learn of the passing of Ryne Sandberg. He was an important part of our organization, not just as a player, but also as a coach and a manager. He made a lifelong impact on so many including those who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Margaret and Ryne’s entire family during this difficult time.”
Philadelphia Phillies
Another Chicago baseball legend, Frank Thomas, also commented via his X feed. Perhaps the greatest player in White Sox history, Thomas joined Sandberg in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
“RIP Ryno! I just don’t know what to say about this. Getting to know you and Margaret on our flights to Cooperstown was always amazing. You teasing me about being my wife’s favorite player ever. You were always a class act. You will be missed by my family and so many others!”
Frank Thomas, White Sox legend and Baseball Hall of Famer
Fellow Baseball Hall of Famer and broadcaster Jim Palmer commented on his X feed, too.
“For all of us who love the game of baseball, we lost one of the best to ever play second base. Ryne Sandberg. #23. Tremendous player and all around great guy. RIP Ryne. You fought courageously.”
Jim Palmer, Baseball Hall of Famer and broadcaster
State, city leaders comment
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement on Sandberg’s death, as did Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“‘Ryno’ was a Hall of Famer on and off the field whose love for the game inspired baseball fans everywhere. His legacy will live on in Chicago for generations to come. May his memory be a blessing.”
Gov. JB Pritzker
“Today we mourn the life of Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, who inspired generations of fans with his talent, leadership, and commitment to Chicago baseball. His devotion to the game was matched only by the love he had for his family and the deep bond he shared with Cubs fans everywhere. From Wrigley Field to the Hall of Fame, ‘Ryno’ always represented our city with pride and his legacy here will live on forever.
“On behalf of the City of Chicago, I extend my condolences to the Sandberg family, the entire Cubs organization and fans around the world.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson
And one of the most famous Chicagoans ever, former President Barack Obama, also shared his thoughts on his X feed — even though he’s a South Sider and a White Sox fan.
“Hall of Famer and Cubs stalwart Ryne Sandberg wasn’t just a great baseball player — he was a class act who never cheated the game. Everyone in Chicago — including White Sox fans — will miss him deeply.”
Barack Obama
‘Like a shooting star’
Perhaps nobody has a more up-close perspective on what it’s like to be around a Chicago sports icon, and also one who died too young, than WGN’s own Jarrett Payton.
Jarrett is, of course, the son of Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton, who ranks alongside Michael Jordan as probably the two biggest sports icons in city history.
Walter Payton died at age 46.
On Monday night’s GN Sports, after the news of Sandberg’s death was announced, Jarrett said that when he was growing up, Sandberg was one of the Chicago athletes his dad told him to emulate.
“Growing up as a kid, I always told my dad that I wanted to be a professional athlete,” Jarrett remembered. “And when it came down to it, he would have the old VHS’s, and he would put in different players that he wanted me to emulate and to be like. One of those guys was ‘Ryno.’
“Any time that you saw him play or you watched video of him, it was the way that he carried himself on the baseball field, the way that it always seemed that he was this quiet leader. He led by example. Every time he stepped across those lines, he was going to give you the best.”
And like Walter Payton, Sandberg wasn’t originally from Chicago. But he’ll forever be considered a Chicagoan.
“They all weren’t from here, but they came here to play a sport, and they became Chicago’s very own,” Jarrett said. “People think that they’re from here. Ryne Sandberg is one of those people.”
Like his father, Jarrett said it’s just unfortunate that the city and Sandberg didn’t have more time together.
“It’s almost like a shooting star,” Jarrett said. “… Their legacy is what’s going to be remembered. He’s one of those, one of the greatest.”
‘Hall of Fame man’
Josh Frydman of GN Sports put together a touching obituary on Sandberg during Monday night’s show. You can watch it below:
Bob Dernier joined Monday night’s GN Sports via phone to share his own memories of Sandberg. Dernier was a Cubs teammate with Sandberg for four seasons, and they formed the “Daily Double” combo that sparked the North Siders’ unforgettable run to the 1984 NL East championship.
Dernier was also teammates with Sandberg in the Phillies’ minor league system before they were with the Cubs.
“I was around ‘Ryno’ for 50 years, from the time he was 18, and he got a whole lot out of the 65 years he was here,” Dernier said. “One thing I can say, from the time he was 18 to all the way to today, he was the same guy. I wasn’t around too many guys I could say that about. But he had the same heartbeat, same laughter, same demeanor. Just a wonderful guy.
“… The three years we shared in the minor leagues are a bit priceless. I could talk about those all night. But the four in Chicago, that was really our dream come true. I’m just so glad I got to spend those four with him.”
Dan Roan, a WGN sportscaster for 38 years, joined Monday’s GN Sports via Zoom to share some memories of covering Sandberg’s career.
One thing Roan remembered was how Sandberg was more of a singles hitter during his first couple seasons with the Cubs. But in spring training before the 1984 season, Cubs manager Jim Frey worked with Sandberg to get him to figure out how to pull the ball and add more power to his offensive arsenal.
The rest is history.
“You see what happened,” Roan said. “(Frey) created a monster that made it all the way to Cooperstown.”
Also joining Monday’s GN Sports via Zoom was Barry Rozner, a longtime Chicago sports scribe and radio host who was the Cubs’ beat reporter for the Daily Herald during Sandberg’s career.
Rozner recalled how the 1980s were such a golden age for Chicago sports.
“We saw the greatest football player who ever lived, Walter Payton, we saw the greatest basketball player who ever lived, Michael Jordan, the most exciting hockey player who’s ever come through this town in Denis Savard,” Rozner said. “And Ryne Sandberg, who was equally worshipped among Cubs fans as those other players that I just mentioned, because of the way he went about his life and the way he went about his business.
“With total respect for the game, complete dedication, always with honor, and always with dignity.”
Rozner eventually helped Sandberg write his Hall of Fame induction speech. And instead of the usual thank-yous and old stories, Sandberg used the moment to speak out against the “Steroids Era,” which baseball was in the midst of at the time.
“I think most people consider it to be the best speech in the history of the Hall of Fame,” Rozner said. “And you have to give him the credit for that.
“… He was eager to say some things. He was eager to make a statement.”
WGN’s Pat Tomasulo weighed in, as well, on his X feed.
“Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame man. So kind, so humble. The rare exception of a guy you idolized as a kid turning out to be everything you hoped he’d be and more. Rest in peace, Ryno.”
WGN’s Pat Tomasulo
Other veteran Chicago media personalities paid their own tributes via social media.
“Everybody loved Ryne Sandberg because he was a reluctant hero, the humblest superstar ever, who never asked to be modern-day Mr. Cub but embraced the role anyway. Like he was for so many in a generation, he was my favorite player. Was a thrill to work with him later. RIP, Ryno.”
David Haugh, “Mully and Haugh” co-host on 670 The Score, former Chicago Tribune columnist
“RIP. I’ve been out of the loop with the Cubs but back in the day I handled pre and post Cubs radio and Ryne was ALWAYS a gentleman and professional. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and the Cubs organization. This is a tough one.”
Chuck Swersky, Bulls radio play-by-play man
“There are legions of Cubs fans today who became Cubs fans because of Ryne Sandberg. In the pantheon of Chicago sports, Ryno is alongside the city’s legendary figures. His greatness on the field was matched by his kindness off it. May his memory be a blessing.”
Zach Zaidman, Cubs Radio Network broadcaster
Other tributes pour in
The list of statements, comments and tributes from the baseball world and otherwise paying respects to Sandberg could fill volumes.
Some examples:
“RIP Mr. Sandberg. (Prayer hands emoji) thank you for always being so kind.”
Justin Steele, Cubs pitcher
“Absolutely Heartbroken. Don’t have the words right now. Love you, Ryno. #FO23VER.”
Obvious Shirts
“RIP Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. What a fabulous man.”
Bob Nightengale, USA Today MLB columnist
But there was one among the endless tributes to Sandberg that maybe encapsulates perfectly about how fans from a different era, a different time, felt about “Ryno.”
Nick Shepkowski, Editor of Notre Dame on Sports Illustrated, had this to say on X about an icon from days gone by, a time when kids dreamed of being like players who were as much myths and living legends as they were real-live athletes.
Sandberg was from that era. And in Chicago, thousands of young baseball fans fell in love with the sport because of him.
“Sports hero”: Maybe that’s the best way to sum up Ryne Sandberg’s life and legacy.
“You only get one first sports hero,” Shepkowski wrote. “This one is tough. Thanks for the memories, Ryno. God speed.