(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Legendary Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, he announced in a social media post on Monday.
Sandberg, 64, addressed his post to the Chicago Cubs, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his extended baseball family, Chicago and his “loyal fans.” He said the diagnosis came last week.
“I have begun treatment, and I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret, our incredibly supportive family, the best medical care team, and our dear friends,” wrote Sandberg.
He added: “We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”
Sandberg played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, almost entirely with the Chicago Cubs after the franchise traded for him during his 1982 rookie season. He made 10 consecutive All-Star Games and won nine straight Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991.
In 1997, Sandberg ended his career with a then-MLB-record .989 fielding percentage for second basemen. He still has the most Silver Slugger Awards — given to the best offensive player at each position — for a second baseman.
The Cubs retired Sandberg’s number in 2005, the same year he was inducted in the Hall of Fame.
One of the photos shared in Sandberg’s Instagram post shows him giving a thumbs-up inside his hospital room.
“Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family,” Sandberg wrote.
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