Ryne Sandberg Passes Away at Age 65

Ryne Sandberg Passes Away at Age 65 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs lost one of their all-time greats on Monday. Ryne Sandberg, 65, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Sandberg was one of the most iconic players in the history of the Cubs franchise. In early 2024, he announced he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Although he was later declared cancer-free, the disease returned aggressively in December and spread to other parts of his body. Despite multiple treatments, Sandberg couldn't overcome the second wave.

MLB insider Mark Feinsand shared statements from commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark on social media.

Commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark remember Ryne Sandberg: pic.twitter.com/qnirUSpSIQ

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2025

Manfred called Sandberg a "five-tool player" who excelled in every aspect of the game and earned admiration throughout the sport. Clark remembered him as an inspiration and praised his enduring respect for baseball and his peers.

Ryne Sandberg's Hall of Fame Resume

After a brief stint with the Phillies, Sandberg built an unmatched legacy with the Cubs. He spent 15 seasons in Chicago, starting in 1982, playing all of them at Wrigley Field. His breakout season came in 1984 when he won the National League MVP and began a 10-year stretch of All-Star appearances.

Sandberg won nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards in his career. He led the National League in home runs in 1990 with 40. That same year, he won the home run derby in front of a packed home crowd during the All-Star game at Wrigley.

Ryne Sandberg MLB History

Drafted in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, Sandberg rose from an overlooked prospect to a franchise cornerstone. After his playing days, he served as a coach with the Phillies and as a goodwill ambassador of the Cubs. He managed the Phillies from 2013 to 2015, winning 119 games before stepping down.

Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, the same year the Cubs retired his number. In 2024, the Cubs honored him with a statue outside Wrigley Field.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.