Cubs Legend Ryne Sandberg Dies at 65 After Cancer Battle

Ryne Sandberg, the Cubs icon who defined an era and quietly became one of baseball’s most complete players, has died at 65. The Hall of Fame second baseman passed away Monday at home, surrounded by family, after a long battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

Sandberg had been open about his health struggles over the past year. After initially beating cancer in mid-2024, he shared in December that it had come back and spread to other organs. Still, in true Sandberg style, he stayed positive and focused on family. “Looking forward to making the most of every day,” he wrote just weeks ago.

And that’s how Cubs fans will remember him — not just as one of the best to ever wear the uniform, but as someone who never made it about himself.

“He was a superhero in this city,” Cubs president Jed Hoyer said recently. “You think about Jordan, Payton, and Sandberg all here at the same time. He handled fame better than anyone.”

Sandberg — or “Ryno,” as he was affectionately known — spent nearly his entire 15-year career with the Cubs after being traded from the Phillies in 1982. That trade, which also sent Larry Bowa to Chicago for Ivan De Jesus, went down as one of the most lopsided in baseball history.

From there, Sandberg built a resume that made him a Cubs legend. He hit .285, smashed 282 home runs, drove in over 1,000 runs, and stole 344 bases. He won 9 Gold Gloves, made 10 All-Star teams, and took home the Home Run Derby title in 1990, not bad for a second baseman.

He retired in 1997 with more homers than any other second baseman in MLB history at the time.

“His dedication, hustle, and respect for the game were unmatched,” said Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts. “He’ll always be one of the all-time greats in this franchise.”

In 2005, Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame and saw his No. 23 retired by the Cubs. And even then, he stayed low-key — never one for flashy celebrations or big statements. That was Ryno. He just played the game better than most and let the numbers speak.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred called him “a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game,” praising his power, speed, and relentless work ethic.

Born in Spokane, Washington, Sandberg was a 20th-round draft pick, not exactly a future Hall of Famer on paper. But he proved everyone wrong, and he did it with class.

Sandberg is survived by his wife and children. He was a quiet force on the field, a fan favorite, and a true Chicago sports legend.

With input from AP