(670 The Score) Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, the 1984 National League MVP and a fan favorite affectionately known at “Ryno,” has died, the organization announced Monday night. He was 65.
Sandberg had been battling prostate cancer, a diagnosis he initially revealed in January 2024. He was surrounded by family when he passed away at his home earlier Monday, the Cubs said.
Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star second baseman who played for the Cubs from 1982-’94 and 1996-’97. He also won nine Gold Gloves. His 282 career homers rank fifth in Cubs history, and his 2,385 hits and 2,151 games each rank fourth in franchise history.
"Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father and grandfather."
Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that year and honored him with a statue outside of Wrigley Field in 2024.
A native of Spokane, Washington, Sandberg was selected by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft. He appeared in 13 games for the Phillies in 1981 before being traded to the Cubs in January 1982.
That began Sandberg’s journey to becoming a Cubs icon. His breakout came in 1984, when he earned NL MVP honors by hitting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 114 runs, 32 steals, an .887 OPS and a Gold Glove while playing in 156 games. He led the Cubs to 96 wins and an NL East title before Chicago lost 3-2 to San Diego in the best-of-five National League Championship Series.
Recently, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer credited Sandberg for helping create the electric atmosphere that accompanies Cubs games at Wrigley Field.
“I know Ryno watches our games — on behalf of everyone, I just wanted to say a really heartfelt thank you,” Hoyer said on the Marquee Sports Network broadcast. “This atmosphere is so incredible right now. You look out at all these people and all this excitement, and I think the ’84 Cubs and Ryne Sandberg started all of that.
“All of us owe him a debt of gratitude for creating this and creating all those memories. In the minds of everyone, he’s always going to be homering off (Bruce) Sutter. He’s always going to be rounding third and high-fiving (Don) Zimmer. He’s always going to be playing the game the right way.
“We all love you, Ryno, from the whole fan base.”
Sandberg is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, Justin (Ashley), Lindsey (Adam), Steven (Megan), BR (Katie) and Adriane; and his 11 grandchildren: Joshua, Micah, Eli, Brooklyn, Owen, Nathan, Weston, Adalyn, Bode, Stella and Roman.
"Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family," Ricketts said. "Ryno will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”