The baseball world received some sad news on Monday night with the announcement that Chicago Cubs legend Ryan Sandberg had passed away. The Hall of Famer died at his home in Illinois on Monday at age 65 following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer.
After the Cubs posted the news on X, the Boston Red Sox shared their condolences in a heartfelt reply. “Keeping the Sandberg family in our thoughts and sending love to the Cubs community. His legacy means so much to baseball.”
Sandberg, who spent his entire 16-year career in the National League, is considered one of the best second basemen in baseball history.
He debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 before being traded to Chicago the following offseason, where he spent the rest of his career.
Sandberg quickly emerged as one of the sport’s best all-around players thanks to his power, speed and defense. The 10-time All-Star was one of the most decorated players of his era, winning nine Gold Gloves (a record for second basemen), seven Silver Sluggers and the 1984 NL MVP award.
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While he never won a World Series, Sandberg excelled in the playoffs, batting .385/.457/.641 with seven extra-base hits and nine RBI in 10 career postseason games.
Sandberg finished his career in 1997 with 2,386 hits, 282 home runs, 344 stolen bases and 67.9 WAR. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 — the same year the Cubs retired his number 23.
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After his playing days were over, Sandberg continued his baseball career as a coach and manager. He managed the Phillies from 2013 to 2015, going 119-159 before becoming a team ambassador for Chicago.
While he never played for or against the Red Sox during the regular season or playoffs, Sandberg will always be remembered as one of the best players in Cubs history and an all-time second baseman who represented the game with dignity and grace.
Featured image via David Banks/Imagn Images
