Ryne Sandberg, the Hall of Fame second baseman whose stellar play and quiet leadership helped restore the Chicago Cubs to prominence in the 1980s and 90s, has died at the age of 65. The Cubs confirmed that Sandberg passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

Born Ryne Dee Sandberg on September 18, 1959, in Spokane, Washington, he was a multi-sport star at North Central High School, excelling in baseball, football, and basketball. Despite receiving All-America honors as a quarterback, Sandberg chose baseball, getting drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB draft.

Sandberg's major league career began with a brief 13-game stint with the Phillies in 1981. However, his trajectory changed dramatically when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in January 1982, along with Larry Bowa, for Iván DeJesús. This trade is considered one the Phillies organization would come to regret.

After two solid seasons, Sandberg blossomed into a superstar in 1984. That year, he hit .314 with 19 home runs and 84 RBIs, leading the National League in several categories, including runs and triples. More importantly, he helped the Cubs reach the postseason for the first time since 1945, ending a 39-year drought. In that season, Sandberg won the National League MVP Award.

One game in particular, on June 23, 1984, against the St. Louis Cardinals, would forever be known as "The Ryne Sandberg Game". In that game, Sandberg hit two game-tying home runs against Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter, propelling the Cubs to a wild victory and launching Sandberg into national stardom.

Over the next decade, Sandberg became a fixture in the All-Star Game, earning 10 consecutive selections from 1984 to 1993. Known for his exceptional defense, he won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1983 to 1991. Sandberg also displayed surprising power for a second baseman, leading the National League with 40 home runs in 1990. He earned seven Silver Slugger Awards.

Sandberg briefly retired in 1994 but returned to the Cubs in 1996 for two more seasons. He finished his career with a .285 batting average, 2,386 hits, 282 home runs, and 344 stolen bases. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Cubs retired his number 23 in the same year. A statue of Sandberg was unveiled outside Wrigley Field in 2024.

After his playing career, Sandberg pursued a managerial career. He managed in the Cubs' minor league system before taking over as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015. Ryne also served as a spring training instructor for the Cubs.

Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Although he briefly announced he was cancer-free in August 2024, the cancer returned and spread.

Ryne Sandberg's impact on baseball, particularly in Chicago, is immeasurable. He redefined the second base position with his blend of power, speed, and defense. More than just his statistics, Sandberg was admired for his work ethic, humility, and respect for the game. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, five children, and 11 grandchildren.