Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg Passes Away at 65
Baseball great Ryne Sandberg, a beloved figure in Chicago Cubs history and a Hall of Fame second baseman, passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 65. Remembered for his exceptional skills with both bat and glove, Sandberg’s career revitalized the Cubs franchise and its passionate fanbase.
Acquired by the Cubs in a 1982 trade, Sandberg quickly rose to prominence. By 1984, he led the team to their first National League East title in 36 years, earning the NL Most Valuable Player Award. That season featured his iconic “Sandberg Game” on June 23, where he hit two game-tying home runs against Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter, etching his name into Cubs lore.
Throughout his distinguished 16-year career, Sandberg amassed an impressive list of accolades:
- Nine Gold Glove Awards
- Seven Silver Slugger Awards
- 10 All-Star selections
He also set a record for second basemen with 277 home runs at the time of his retirement. In 1990, he became the first NL second baseman since 1925 to lead the league in home runs with 40, following a 30-homer season in 1989.
Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, praised Sandberg’s “relentless work ethic and unshakable positive outlook,” noting his deep respect for the game and the Hall of Fame.
Born in Spokane, Washington, in 1959, Sandberg was a multi-sport athlete who was drafted by the Phillies in 1978. After a brief stint with Philadelphia, he found his true home with the Cubs, where he transitioned to second base in 1983 and began his string of Gold Glove wins.
Following his playing career, which concluded with a .285 batting average and 2,386 hits, Sandberg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. He later returned to baseball as a coach and manager, including a period managing the Phillies from 2013 to 2015. Ryne Sandberg’s legacy as one of baseball’s finest all-around second basemen will undoubtedly endure.
