Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs legend and Hall of Fame second baseman, has died at the age of 65 following a long fight with prostate cancer. The Cubs confirmed his passing on Monday, July 28, in a statement shared on social media.
Sandberg revealed his diagnosis in January 2024 and had been undergoing treatment throughout the year. Though he initially reported the cancer was in remission by August, the disease returned later in the year.
“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 for baseball, but most of all, he was proud of his family.”
Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, Sandberg made his big-league debut in 1981. A year later, he was traded to the Cubs—where he would spend the next 15 seasons and carve out a legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the position.
Sandberg’s list of accolades is staggering: 10 All-Star appearances, nine Gold Glove Awards, the 1984 National League MVP, and a Home Run Derby title. In 2005, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey, and earlier in 2024, unveiled a statue in his honor outside Wrigley Field.
At the time of his passing, the Cubs were on the road playing the Milwaukee Brewers. The team has announced they will wear a commemorative jersey patch for the rest of the season to honor Sandberg’s memory.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children, and grandchildren.
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