Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs announced the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg on Monday. He was 65 years old. In January 2024, Sandberg revealed that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, an illness that ultimately led to his demise.

Ryne Sandberg enjoyed a 16-season career in Major League Baseball, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs. Throughout his career, he was recognized as a 10-time All-Star, a one-time MVP, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, and a seven-time Silver Slugger. Notably, Sandberg led the National League in runs scored on three occasions, hit 40 home runs in 1990, and ranked first in wins above replacement in 1984 with a remarkable 8.5. That same year, he also led all of baseball in triples, amassing 19 during what was ultimately his MVP season. For his career, Sandberg logged a batting average of .285, achieving 282 home runs, 1,061 runs batted in, and 344 stolen bases. He is hailed as one of the iconic figures in Cubs history and is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen in the sport.

In light of Sandberg's passing, tributes to his enduring legacy have been abundant. Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner remarked, 'The level of the 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.' This sentiment encapsulates what made Sandberg a legendary figure within the Cubs organization. In a touching moment, Sandberg expressed his affection for Cubs fans during his final season, stating, 'I truly lived my field of dreams right here at Wrigley Field' on September 20, 1997.