Baseball fans around the school, Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg, 65, passed away from his battle with metastatic prostate cancer on Monday, July 28, 2025. Last December, he and his family announced the former second baseman had a relapse of prostate cancer. Sandberg spent the majority of his 16-year career with the Chicago Cubs, where he earned a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2005. Sandberg was considered an all-time great for the Cubs franchise by executive chairman, Tom Ricketts. When he retired, Ryne Sandberg was the MLB record holder for home runs as a second baseman, totaling 282 according to Matt Snyder of CBS Sports. Ryne was also a ten-time All-Star, awarded nine Gold Glove Awards, a seven-time Silver Slugger, and won the 1984 NL (National League) MVP Award. Ryne Sandberg had astonishing stats and success throughout the league. He totaled 403 doubles, 344 stolen bases, 2,385 hits, 1,316 runs scored, 761 extra-base hits, 3,786 total bases, and 2,151 games played. (Snyder, CBS Sports)
These statistics were good enough to put him among the top five in Cubs history. Ryno had an everlasting impact on the Cubs fan base, current and former players, and the coaches. “ I just think it’s cool that he’s somebody that has kind of done everything in our sport but still doesn’t approach the game with any kind of ego,” current Chicago second baseman, Nico Hoerner, said. Current Cubs shortstop, Dansby Swanson, commented, “ Just a top-shelf human being. He made such an impact on me, even in my short time of being able to be around him. “ Cubs’ third baseman Matt Shaw, who struggled when he first got called up to the MLB, had this to say, “ When he (Sandberg) first came up, he struggled a little bit early on and was like, ‘No matter what happens, you just got to keep believing in yourself and keep going. And I definitely take that to heart, and that’s something that I definitely think about a lot — is that belief to just keep going.” After his passing, Cubs Manager, Craig Counsell, informed the clubhouse immediately after their game. “We were lucky as a group this year to have Ryno in Spring Training,” Counsell said. “And it was an honor to be around a man battling for his life, but also wanting to come to the ballpark and spend his day with us.”
Ryne was always dedicated, and he respected the game of baseball. He made sure that he played baseball the way it was supposed to be played, and his work ethic was like no other. Ryne was described as ungodly consistent. Everything he did was to the best of his ability. Sandberg cemented his legacy on the historic Cubs franchise during the 1984 season with a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 23 in Chicago, which has since been remembered as “The Sandberg Game.” On the 40th anniversary of this significant game, the Cubs organization unveiled a statue to honor everything Ryne Sandberg did for the Chicago Cubs fans.
Cubs fans everywhere will greatly miss Ryne and everything he accomplished in his career. Sandberg was an inspiration to players around the league and had such a big impact. It is clear Ryne Sandberg was a stand-up man and player. Everyone he was in contact with was deeply appreciative of his advice and the actions he took to make them better people. Rest in peace, Ryno.
