Obama pays respect to beloved Cubs icon.
"Never Cheated the Game:" Barack Obama Pays Tribute to Ryne Sandberg After Chicago Cubs Legend's Death originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former US President Barack Obama joined Chicago and the baseball world in mourning the death of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
The legendary second baseman, known for his clean play and quiet leadership, died Monday at age 65 after a hard-fought battle with prostate cancer.
Obama, a proud White Sox fan, paid tribute to Sandberg on Tuesday through a heartfelt message on X, sharing the Chicago Cubs' announcement of Sandberg’s death.
“Hall of Famer and Cubs stalwart Ryne Sandberg wasn’t just a great baseball player – he was a class act who never cheated the game. Everyone in Chicago – including White Sox fans – will miss him deeply,” Obama wrote.
Hall of Famer and Cubs stalwart Ryne Sandberg wasn’t just a great baseball player – he was a class act who never cheated the game. Everyone in Chicago – including White Sox fans – will miss him deeply. https://t.co/211oremTWc
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 29, 2025
Sandberg's passing came just months after he revealed his cancer had returned. Initially diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in January 2024, he briefly entered remission in August, according to AP News.
However, by December, he announced the disease had spread to other organs. Surrounded by family, Sandberg passed away at home, according to the Cubs.
Ryne Sandberg’s Career was Marked by Greatness
Sandberg began his professional journey when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 20th round of the 1978 draft. He made his MLB debut in 1981 but played just 13 games for the Phillies. The following year, he was traded to the Cubs — a move now seen as one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history.
Over 15 seasons with the Cubs, he became one of the most respected and complete players in the game. He finished his career with 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs and 344 stolen bases. He was a 10-time All-Star, won nine consecutive Gold Gloves and earned seven Silver Slugger awards.
Sandberg retired from baseball in 1997 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. That same year, the Cubs retired his No. 23 jersey. He later coached in both the Cubs and Phillies organizations, serving briefly as the Phillies’ manager from 2013 to 2015.
Sandberg’s legacy reaches far beyond his awards and numbers. He showed what it meant to respect the game — to play the right way, every day. And for that, Chicago and the baseball world will never forget him.
Related: Cubs Legend Shawon Dunston Shares Emotional Final Conversations With Ryne Sandberg
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
