WATCH: Craig Counsell, Cubs players react to the passing of Ryne Sandberg |
Tony Crumpton
· · 15 hours ago
Hall of Famer and Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg passed away at the age of 65 on Monday, following a long battle with prostate cancer.
After the Cubs' 8-4 loss to the Brewers on Monday night, Cubs manager Craig Counsell and a few players gave their reaction to the loss of the Cubs icon. “It’s a sad day for the Chicago Cubs,” Counsell said. “He was a great Cub. I’m grateful that we got a chance to get to know him this spring.” Sandberg was always excited to be around the Cubs and their fans. “Talking to Rick Sutcliffe about that a lot, I know he was doing everything he could to be there, and I think he did feel better when he was there, but I don’t think it was easy for him to be there,” Counsell said. “I think it’s one of those — it’s an environment that made him feel better, and it makes you feel good that you can provide that. It really does.” Kindness is what really truly made Sandberg different from all the other legends. “What’s so cool is that what we do for a living is about competing and beating people, but his presence was almost due to kindness,” Counsell said. “And that’s such a rare [thing,] and he was probably living on a higher level than the rest of us. That’s what he was known for, that’s what made him special. And that’s why people like that make you better.” Nico Hoerner appreciated that Sandberg loved to talk baseball with him. “He just, more than anything, wanted to talk about baseball and things that we were doing that were different than what they did then, and things that he saw,” Hoerner said. “He never came from it with an angle of having everything figured out. He just wanted to be on the field and talk about the sport that he loved and that loved him, honestly.” Hoerner realizes how special Ryno was. “Thinking of him and everything that he meant to the Cubs organization and obviously his family,” Hoerner said. “He’s kind of the blueprint for what it means to be an amazing Cub – as far as the way he carried himself, obviously, through his career and everything achieved, but just how selfless he was in his time with us, too. It was never about him, ever.” Matthew Boyd said that Sandberg acted like they had known each other for years showing his kindness. “I got to meet Ryno for the first time this spring, and he treated me like I had worn a Cubs uniform my whole life,” Boyd said. “I think that just spoke to who he was for this organization, as an ambassador of the game of baseball. It’s a loss, and we’re going to miss him. There’s not really words for it.” Ian Happ will miss Ryno. “Just cool to have somebody who’s played forever and been through moments to take the time,” Happ said, “and to be paying that much attention, and to be watching that closely, and to know how much weight his words carry. … I felt like we formed a pretty special bond over the years. I know I’ll miss him a ton.” Happ is glad that the Cubs were able to put a statue up for Sandberg. “One of my most special memories as a Cub is getting to watch his statue unveiling,” Happ said. “How many people showed up for it, former players and people that wanted to be around and wanted to see it. There’s only five statues up there, and for him to be one of those guys, and get to see that, get to see what it meant to him and what it meant to his family, was really, really special. “And through the whole fight, the courage, the strength and the openness with everyone, was really remarkable.” “It’s a sad day for the Chicago Cubs. He was a great Cub and I’m grateful we got a chance to get to know him this spring.” "People like (Ryne Sandberg) make you better." - Craig Counsell pic.twitter.com/bGSMIdJotj "I think he’s kind of the blueprint for what it means to be an amazing Cub." "I got to meet Ryno this spring, and he treated me like I'd worn a Cub uniform my whole life." - Matthew Boyd pic.twitter.com/DPJN1HCXkT
Craig Counsell on the passing of Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com/5vhZAs216R
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner on Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com/ZuDmbkVGoC
