Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs announced the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who died on Monday at the age of 65. In January 2024, Sandberg revealed that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.

Over the course of his 16-year Major League Baseball career, Sandberg played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs. He was recognized as a 10-time All-Star, one-time Most Valuable Player, nine-time Gold Glove recipient, and a seven-time Silver Slugger. Throughout his career, he led the National League in runs scored on three occasions and famously topped the league in home runs in 1990 with 40. Notably, Sandberg also recorded an impressive wins above replacement figure of 8.5 in 1984 and led all of baseball in triples that same year with 19, culminating in his MVP season. Overall, Sandberg concluded his career with a .285 batting average, 282 home runs, 1,061 runs batted in, and 344 stolen bases.

As one of the Chicago Cubs' most iconic figures and considered one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history, Sandberg's impact on the sport was profound. Following the announcement of his passing, numerous tributes honoring his legacy emerged. Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner expressed admiration for Sandberg's remarkable consistency and longevity, emphasizing how Sandberg set a high standard for all players. Sandberg himself expressed profound appreciation for his time with the Cubs, famously stating, 'I truly lived my field of dreams right here at Wrigley Field,' during a heartfelt moment with fans on September 20, 1997, before his retirement.