Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs have announced the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg on Monday at the age of 65. Sandberg had disclosed in January 2024 that he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, marking a challenging chapter for the former player and baseball icon.

Over his distinguished 16-year Major League Baseball career, Sandberg played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs. Renowned for his exceptional skills both offensively and defensively, he was a 10-time All-Star, a one-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a seven-time Silver Slugger. Sandberg was particularly dominant during the 1984 season, leading the National League in wins above replacement (8.5), triples (19), and runs scored. His offensive prowess also included a standout performance in 1990 when he led the league with 40 home runs.

Sandberg's career statistics reflect his impressive tenure in baseball, with a lifetime batting average of .285, 282 home runs, 1,061 runs batted in (RBI), and 344 stolen bases. He is celebrated as one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history and remains an iconic figure for the Cubs organization. Following his passing, tributes highlighting his remarkable legacy flooded in, including comments from Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner, who remarked on Sandberg's consistency and influence. Sandberg himself expressed a deep connection with the team and its fans during his final season, stating, 'I truly lived my field of dreams right here at Wrigley Field.'