The Chicago Cubs confirmed his passing on Monday, July 28, in a statement shared on social media. Sandberg, who was a legendary second baseman and one of the most iconic figures in Cubs history, had announced his cancer diagnosis in January 2024.
“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,” said Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts. “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 selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 draft and made his Major League debut with the team in 1981. However, it was his 15-year tenure with the Cubs, from 1982 to 1997, that cemented his legacy.
During his time in Chicago, Sandberg earned 10 All-Star selections, won the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player award, secured nine Gold Glove Awards, and claimed a Home Run Derby title. His No. 23 jersey was retired by the Cubs, and in 2005, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2024, the Cubs unveiled a statue in his honour at Wrigley Field.
Though Sandberg initially stated in August 2024 that treatment had cured his cancer, he revealed in December that the disease had returned.
The Cubs, who were playing a road game against the Milwaukee Brewers when the news broke, announced that the team will wear a jersey patch for the remainder of the season to honour Sandberg’s memory.