WATCH: Ryne Sandberg tribute video

Tony Crumpton · Senior Editor · 15 hours ago

Marquee Sports Network reflects on the life and legacy of Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who died on July 28, 2025, at 65 years old.

Watch the tribute video below:

Video summary/cliff notes:

(00:00–01:37): Ryne Sandberg reflects on his Hall of Fame career with the Cubs, elevated by playing at Wrigley Field. He earned 9 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers, 10 All-Star selections, the 1984 NL MVP, and became a Hall of Famer.

(01:37–02:48): Originally drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round, Sandberg was traded to the Cubs in 1981. He began at third base before becoming a long-term second baseman, where he dominated defensively.

(03:13–04:07): The iconic "Sandberg Game" on June 23, 1984, saw Sandberg hit two game-tying homers off Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter, cementing his MVP campaign and helping push the Cubs toward the playoffs.

(04:07–05:19): Sandberg and teammates led the Cubs to NL East titles in 1984 and 1989. Though he never won a postseason series, his performance (.385 average in playoffs) was stellar.

(05:19–06:32): Sandberg helped usher in a new Cubs era with Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace. He remained a power threat, becoming the third second baseman to hit 40 HR in a season (1990) and won the Home Run Derby at Wrigley.

(06:32–07:33): After a performance dip, Sandberg retired mid-1994 despite $16M left on his contract. He returned in 1996–97 and broke the record for home runs by a second baseman with 267.

(07:33–08:19): Sandberg officially retired in 1997 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. His No. 23 jersey was retired by the Cubs, and he became one of the few Hall of Famers drafted in the 20th round or later.

(08:19–09:32): Post-retirement, he managed in the Cubs and Phillies systems, briefly managing the Phillies MLB team. In 2016, he returned to the Cubs as an ambassador during their championship season.

(09:32–10:39): In 2023, the Cubs announced plans to honor Sandberg with a statue. In 2024, he revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis. The statue was unveiled on the 40th anniversary of the Sandberg Game—he was declared cancer-free soon after.

(10:39–11:11): In December 2024, Sandberg shared that his cancer had returned and spread. He made a heartfelt appearance at CubsCon 2025, emphasizing the fan support that gave him strength.