CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Cubs great Ryne Sandberg received a special honor ahead of Chicago’s game against the New York Mets on Sunday: the Hall of Famer was immortalized with a statue outside Wrigley Field.
Sunday’s statue unveiling was the latest in what’s been a roller coaster of a year for Sandberg. In January, the legendary second baseman informed his followers on social media that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In March, Sandberg announced that his latest scans showed no signs of cancerous activity.
After the ceremony, he said being present for the statue unveiling became a goal as he went through treatment.
“With what I’ve gone through … I kind of reverted back to my baseball days of having goals, and my attitude, and working every day toward something,” Sandberg said. “That’s what I’ve done, so it’s worked, and like I told the Cubs fans: ‘I’m feeling fine, and everything’s going in the right direction.’”
Sunday’s statue unveiling came on the 40-year anniversary of what became known as “the Ryne Sandberg game,” when Sandberg hit 5-for-6 against the St. Louis Cardinals — with two game-tying home runs in the 9th and 10th innings — to lead the Cubs to victory.
WBBM’s Judson Richards contributed to this report.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok