Ryne Sandberg dies at 65: Baseball world mourns the loss of Cubs legend after battle with cancer

Dan Treacy

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Ryne Sandberg dies at 65: Baseball world mourns the loss of Cubs legend after battle with cancer image

The baseball world is mourning the death of Hall of Fame second baseman and Cubs great Ryne Sandberg.

Sandberg, who also managed the Phillies from 2013-15, died Monday after battling serious health issues.

He was 65 years old. 

Nicknamed "Ryno," Sandberg came up through the minor leagues with the Phillies but was traded to the Cubs along with Larry Bowa just as he was breaking into the majors after the 1981 season. Sandberg broke out in 1984, earning his first of 10 consecutive All-Star selections. Sandberg was also a nine-time Gold Glove winner and earned MVP honors in 1984, just after he turned 25. 

While Sandberg's Cubs never broke their World Series drought during his 16 years with the organization, he established himself as one of the most beloved players in franchise history and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, his third year of eligibility. 

Here's what you need to know about Sandberg's death and how the Cubs are paying tribute to him. 

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How did Ryne Sandberg die?

Sandberg battled prostate cancer before his death. In his most recent update, he said he was continuing to fight the disease but was prioritizing "making the most of every day" with his family and friends. 

Despite being declared cancer-free in August 2024, Sandberg's cancer returned within months and spread to other organs, signaling that he was going to be in a fight for his life. 

Ryne Sandberg cancer battle

Sandberg first announced in January 2024 that he was battling metastatic prostate cancer, meaning the cancer had spread elsewhere. He was declared cancer-free in August 2024 but announced in December that the disease had returned aggressively and spread to other organs.

While Sandberg was able to appear at Wrigley Field at the Cubs' home opener, throwing out the first pitch, he wrote in his most recent update that he had not been able to make it to the stadium as much as he had hoped as he continued treatment for cancer.

Cubs president Jed Hoyer was among those who paid tribute to Sandberg as he fought cancer, calling the Hall of Famer a Chicago "superhero." Jon Lester and Kerry Wood sported Sandberg jerseys at Wrigley Field the same day.

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Ryne Sandberg tributes

Ryne Sandberg stats

Sandberg wasn't much of a power hitter in his early seasons but hit 26 home runs in 1985 and set new career-highs with 30 in 1989 and 40 in 1990. He finished his career with 282 home runs, which currently ranks fifth in Cubs history, and his 2,385 hits with Chicago rank fourth in franchise history. 

A contact hitter who didn't value home runs first, Sandberg hit at least .300 in five different seasons.

SeasonTeamGamesAVGHRRBIHitsOPS
1981Phillies13.167001.333
1982Cubs156.271754172.683
1983Cubs158.261848165.667
1984Cubs156.3141984200.887
1985Cubs153.3052683186.868
1986Cubs154.2841476178.741
1987Cubs132.2941659154.809
1988Cubs155.2641969163.741
1989Cubs157.2903076176.853
1990Cubs155.30640100188.913
1991Cubs158.29126100170.865
1992Cubs158.3042687186.881
1993Cubs117.309945141.772
1994Cubs57.23852453.702
1996Cubs150.2442592135.760
1997Cubs135.2641264118.711
Career 2,164.2852821,0612,386.795

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Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.