Honestly I don't think there was a better player at second in the majors than him. To be honest he's one of the top 5 second baseman to ever play the game and this week some of the biggest names in their sport or genra have passed. Another loss of a hero from the 80's to millions of people.
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Sandberg's parents were Elizabeth, a nurse, and Derwent D. "Sandy" Sandberg, a mortician. He was named for relief pitcher Ryne Duren. Sandberg was a three-sport star in high school at North Central and graduated in 1978. The previous fall, he was named to Parade's High School All-America football team, one of the eight quarterbacks, and one of two players from Washington.
The school's baseball field was named in his honor in 1985 as "Ryne Sandberg Field", and his varsity number was retired in both football and baseball. Sandberg was recruited to play quarterback at NCAA Division I colleges, and eventually signed a letter of intent with Washington State University in Pullman. He opted not to attend after being selected in the 20th round of the 1978 baseball amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 2016, Sandberg joined the Cubs organization as a goodwill ambassador. In this position, he made public appearances at Cubs-related events, and attended Cubs games to meet and greet fans; he was an occasional color commentator for the team's telecasts on Marquee Sports Network.
Sandberg married his high-school sweetheart, Cindy, and the couple had two children, Justin and Lindsey. They divorced in July 1995. Sandberg married Margaret in August 1995. She has three children from her former marriage, B. R., Adriane, and Steven. He also had eight grandchildren. Ryne's nephew, Jared Sandberg, was a third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2001 to 2003.
In January 2024, Sandberg announced that he had begun treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. He died on July 28, 2025, at age 65. May he rest in peace and our condolences to his family. RIP
In 2016, Sandberg joined the Cubs organization as a goodwill ambassador. In this position, he made public appearances at Cubs-related events, and attended Cubs games to meet and greet fans; he was an occasional color commentator for the team's telecasts on Marquee Sports Network.
Sandberg married his high-school sweetheart, Cindy, and the couple had two children, Justin and Lindsey. They divorced in July 1995. Sandberg married Margaret in August 1995. She has three children from her former marriage, B. R., Adriane, and Steven. He also had eight grandchildren. Ryne's nephew, Jared Sandberg, was a third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2001 to 2003.
In January 2024, Sandberg announced that he had begun treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. He died on July 28, 2025, at age 65. May he rest in peace and our condolences to his family. RIP
