MLB Hall of Famer and former Chicago Cubs star Ryne Sandberg has died aged 65 after a battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed by the MLB on Monday night. In a statement, they wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
‘The beloved Cubs second baseman was a five-tool model of consistency in the 1980s and early ’90s, making 10 consecutive All-Star teams and winning 9 straight Gold Glove awards.
‘On June 23, 1984, a national TV audience watched Sandberg hit a pair of game-tying home runs in the 9th and 10th innings off Cardinals closer and future Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter.
‘Part of a magical Cubs Postseason run, the game is forever remembered in Chicago as ‘The Sandberg Game.’ He went on to win the 1984 NL MVP Award.
‘Over 16 seasons, Sandberg slugged 282 home runs, 277 of which were as a second baseman, then a Major League record. He hit 25+ homers five times and stole 30+ bases five times.
MLB Hall of Famer and former Chicago Cubs star Ryne Sandberg has died aged 65
Over 16 seasons, Sandberg slugged 282 home runs, 277 of which were as a second baseman
‘Sandberg made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1981 and later managed them for parts of three seasons.
‘On June 23, 2024, the 40th anniversary of his iconic moment, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Sandberg outside Wrigley Field. Sandberg bravely battled cancer the last two years. He was 65’.
Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs released their own statement. Executive chairman Tom Ricketts said: ‘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.
‘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’.
The ‘Sandberg Game’ – back in 1984 – is remembered as the game in which the second baser introduced himself to baseball fans across the country.
Cubs legend Sandberg was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame back in 2005
In the ninth inning of the Cubs’ game against the St Louis Cardinals, Sandberg shocked everyone as he hit a homerun against Bruce Sutter to tie the game.
The Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the 10th before Sandberg stepped up once more, with the Cubs already having a man on base.
Sandberg slugged another homer to tie the game, before the Cubs went on to win in the 11th inning.
He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame back in 2005. Shortly afterwards, his number 23 jersey was retired at Wrigley Field.
