Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs confirmed the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg on Monday at the age of 65. Sandberg had previously announced in January 2024 that he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, a diagnosis that would ultimately culminate in his untimely death.

Over the course of his 16-season Major League Baseball career, Sandberg showcased his talents with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs. He garnered recognition as a 10-time All-Star, a one-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), nine-time Gold Glove Award recipient, and seven-time Silver Slugger. Notably, Sandberg led the National League in runs scored on three occasions, hit 40 home runs in 1990, and achieved the highest wins above replacement in the league during the 1984 season. That year, he also led all of baseball with 19 triples, marking his standout MVP season. In total, Sandberg concluded his career with a .285 batting average, 282 home runs, 1,061 runs batted in (RBI), and 344 stolen bases, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest second basemen in the history of the sport.

Following the announcement of his death, tributes honoring Sandberg's legacy began to emerge from across the baseball community. Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner expressed admiration for Sandberg's sustained excellence, noting, 'The level of consistency and the longevity that he did it is just incredible. He's definitely his own standard. Talk about a player that did everything on the baseball field.' Sandberg's connection with the Cubs and their fanbase was evident, as he famously remarked on September 20, 1997, during his final season, 'I truly lived my field of dreams right here at Wrigley Field,' emphasizing the special bond he shared with Chicago fans throughout his remarkable career.