Ryne Sandberg has died. The baseball Hall of Famer, who spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs playing second base, was 65. He later managed the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sandberg died on Monday, July 28, the Cubs and Major League Baseball announced.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement on behalf of the Cubs and Sandberg’s family. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.”

“He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father and grandfather,” Ricketts continued.

Sandberg was born in Spokane, Wash., in 1959. He was named after Yankees relief pitcher Ryne Duren; his older brother Del was also named after a baseball player. Del was also Sandberg’s first coach. “It was kind of hard when he got a girlfriend in high school,” Sandberg told PEOPLE in 1984. “I always would get mad because he would go out on a date and I wanted to play ball.”

Ryne Sandberg playing at Wrigley Field. Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty

Sandberg was all-state in baseball and basketball at North Central High School and was all-American as a high school quarterback, with multiple offers from colleges. He opted not to attend college and stick with baseball after being drafted by the Phillies. “Football, I thought, would be a tough sport to make a living in,” he said in 1984. “There is no minor league. You either make it to the NFL or you don’t.”

He made his MLB debut in 1981, as a shortstop, but the organization decided he wasn’t a good fit and traded him to the Cubs (who had hired the Phillies’ previous general manager who had drafted Sandberg) for the 1982 season. The Cubs initially wanted him to play in the outfield but eventually moved him to second base, where he shined. He won a Gold Glove (the league’s top defensive honor) in 1983.

Sandberg broke out in the 1984 season. He batted .314 and led the National League in runs and triples. In one game — dubbed the Sandberg Game — he hit two home runs to propel the Cubs to a 12-11 victory over the rival St. Louis Cardinals. His manager, Jim Frey, told PEOPLE that year, “I think he is probably in the top four or five in baseball right now in all-round ability.”

George Grande (left) and Ryne Sandberg during Sandberg’s 2005 Hall of Fame induction. Jim Rogash/WireImage

Sandberg helped lead the team to the National League’s Eastern Division title, which was their first championship of any kind since 1945, though they lost the National League Championship Series. He was also named League MVP.

But for all his skill, Sandberg was soft-spoken and didn’t love the spotlight. His team nickname was “Gabby” because of how quiet he was. He told PEOPLE that when he joined the team, “I was a little scared and I didn’t talk at all.” Of the passionate Cubs fans, he said, “They really know the game. They boo and cheer when they are supposed to.”

Sandberg was ultimately a nine-time Gold Glove winner, a 10-time All-Star and a seven-time Silver Slugger (the award for best offensive skill in a position). In 1990, he led the National League in home runs. In 1990, PEOPLE named him one of the world’s 50 most beautiful people.

In 1994, Sandberg struggled and announced his retirement mid-season. ”I am not the type of person who can be satisfied with anything less than my very best effort and my very top performance,” he said. But he returned to the Cubs for two more seasons, in 1996 and 1997. He ultimately retired with a .285 career batting average and 277 home runs, a record for a second baseman at the time. Sandberg’s final home game at the Cubs’ Wrigley Field was also the final home game for the team’s legendary announcer Harry Caray, who died that winter.

Ryne Sandberg (left) as the Cubs retired his number (right) in 2005. Sporting News via Getty (2)

Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Shortly after, the Cubs retired his number, making him the team’s fourth player to receive that honor. The Cubs unveiled a statue in his honor in 2024.

In 2007, Sandberg began working as a manager in the Cubs’ minor-league system. After he was not selected to manage the major-league club, he became a manager for the Phillies’ minor-league teams. In 2012, he was promoted to the third-base coach of the major-league team, and when their manager was fired during the 2013 season, he became the manager. He ultimately resigned in the middle of the 2015 season.

Ryne Sandberg before a Philadelphia Phillies game in 2015. Hunter Martin/Getty

Sandberg was married to his first wife, Cindy, from 1979 to July 1995, when they divorced. They shared children Justin and Lindsey. In August 1995, he married his second wife, Margaret, and became step-father to her three children, BR, Adriane and Steven.

Like many Cubs fans, Sandberg was desperate for them to win the World Series, which they hadn’t done since 1908. “I think the Cubs fans are wearing thin on the ‘Lovable Losers’ title. … I think it’d be the biggest party ever for a winning team, and the party would be all over the world,” he said in a 2011 interview.

Ryne Sandberg on Cubs opening day in April 2025. Griffin Quinn/MLB Photos via Getty

The Cubs finally won in 2016. That year, Sandberg had rejoined the team as an ambassador, and he also received a World Series ring.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer. In May, he declared he was cancer-free. In December, he shared news that the cancer had recurred and he was receiving treatment again. “We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this,” he wrote on Instagram at the time.

Sandberg is survived by his wife and children.

Chicaog Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg died on Monday. He was 65.

The Hall of Fame second baseman played 16 seasons in the majors, 15 of them in Chicago. Throughout the course of his career, Sandberg won nine Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger awards, and was named NL MVP of the 1984 season.

Tributes poured in for Sandberg from across the baseball world. MLB Network put together a video package celebrating the life and playing career of Sandberg, highlighting some of the brightest moments of his career. You can watch that below.

1984 NL MVP. 10-time All-Star. 9-time Gold Glover. 7-time Silver Slugger. Hall of Famer.

MLB Network mourns the passing of Cubs icon Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com/Xb2EJZHjFK — MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 29, 2025

The Cubs will wear a patch in honor of Sandberg on their uniforms for the remainder of the season.

RIP to a Cubs legend.

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLB Network Celebrates Life of Ryne Sandberg With Heartfelt Tribute Video.

Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Ryne Sandberg has died at the age of 65, the Cubs announced Monday evening.

Sandberg was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2024, and had been battling the disease since.

He spent 15 of his 16 MLB seasons with the Cubs, and he earned All-Star nods in 10 consecutive seasons, from 1984-93.

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg throws the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 4, 2025. MLB Photos via Getty Images

He also earned nine consecutive Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers, and won the National League MVP in 1984.

“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic. Ryne earned 10 consecutive All-Star selections, nine straight Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and 1984 National League MVP honors.

Ryne Sandberg bats during a 1992 game against the Mets. New York Post

“Ryne remained active in the game he loved as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and in the Minor Leagues, and a frequent participant at the Hall of Fame. His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne’s family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our National Pastime.”

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Longtime Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg died Monday at age 65, his family announced on Sandberg’s verified Instagram page.

“It is with heavy hearts, we announce that Ryne passed away tonight in the comfort of his home. Ryne was surrounded by his loving wife Margaret, their children, and grandchildren,” the post read.

“We thank you for all of the kind words, support, and love during this difficult time. Ryne will forever be in our hearts.”

The Hall of Famer had been battling metastatic prostate cancer.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement.

“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.”

Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner during a 16-year playing career that was highlighted by winning the National League MVP award in 1984.

Former Cubs manager Jim Frey once said of Sandberg, “I’ve never seen a player work harder, and it seemed like the better he got, the harder he worked.”

“Ryno,” as he was affectionately called, started his professional career in 1981 with the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him out of high school. The Phillies traded him to the Cubs after one season, but Sandberg would later return to Philadelphia as a coach and manager.

“The Phillies family is devastated to learn of the passing of Ryne Sandberg,” the team said Monday. “He made a lifelong impact on so many including those who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him.”

Sandberg retired after the 1997 season as Major League Baseball’s record-holder for home runs as a second baseman at the time, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

“Ryne Sandberg had a relentless work ethic and an unshakable positive outlook,” said Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark. “We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Margaret, and his family, as we remember and celebrate his life.”

After revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024, Sandberg announced in August of that year that he was cancer-free. Then, in December, he said his cancer had returned and “spread to other organs.”

Sandberg spoke about his battle with cancer at the unveiling of a statue in his honor at Chicago’s Wrigley Field in June of 2024.

“My life changed a lot in 1984. But that’s nothing compared to what happened six months ago,” he said, referencing his cancer diagnosis.

“My thoughts today are instead about love, life, family and friends. I feel that love now. It was always there.”

The Chicago icon was a Cubbie through and through. On July 16, he posted on Instagram that he was committed to fighting the disease, still watching every Cubs game and was “excited for the second half and to see Wrigley rocking like 1984!”

Sandberg was remembered Monday by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball. He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic,” Manfred said in a statement.

“Ryne remained active in the game he loved as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and in the Minor Leagues, and a frequent participant at the Hall of Fame. His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne’s family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our National Pastime.”

FILE – Chicago Cubs ‘ Ryne Sandberg slugs a triple during Wednesday, Aug. 29, 1984 game against the Cincinnati Reds in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Swart,File) via Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.

Sandberg was surrounded by his family when he died at his home on Monday, according to the team.

Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and then said in August 2024 that he was cancer-free.

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But he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs. He announced this month that he was still fighting, while “looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sandberg “will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise.”

“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career,” Ricketts said in the team’s statement.

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Sandberg was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He was selected out of high school by Philadelphia in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft.

He made his major league debut in 1981 and went 1 for 6 in 13 games with the Phillies. In January 1982, he was traded to Chicago along with Larry Bowa for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus.

It turned into one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.

Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 15 years with Chicago. He made 10 All-Star teams — winning the Home Run Derby in 1990 — and took home nine Gold Gloves.

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“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic.”

Even with Sandberg’s stellar play, the Cubs made just two postseason appearances while he was in Chicago.

He was the NL MVP in 1984, batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples and 114 runs scored. Chicago won the NL East and Sandberg hit .368 (7 for 19) in the playoffs, but the Cubs were eliminated by San Diego after winning the first two games of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.

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The 1984 season featured what Cubs fans still call “The Sandberg Game,” when he homered twice and drove in seven runs in a 12-11 victory over St. Louis in 11 innings on June 23.

Chicago paid tribute to Sandberg and that game when it unveiled a statue of the infielder outside Wrigley Field on that date in 2024.

“He was a superhero in this city,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said during a TV broadcast of the team’s game on July 20. “You think about (Michael) Jordan, Walter Payton and Ryne Sandberg all here at the same time, and I can’t imagine a person handling their fame better, their responsibility for a city better than he did.”

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Sandberg led Chicago back to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers as the Cubs won the NL East. He batted .400 (8 for 20) in the NLCS, but Chicago lost to San Francisco in five games.

Sandberg set a career high with an NL-best 40 homers in 1990 and drove in a career-best 100 runs in 1990 and 1991, but he never made it back to the postseason. He retired after the 1997 season.

“When you examine the offense and defense, you’ll find some years where he was the best player you’ve ever seen in your life,” former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace said.

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Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving 76.2% of the vote by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third try on the ballot. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that same year.

“Ryne Sandberg had a relentless work ethic and an unshakable positive outlook,” Hall of Fame chair Jane Forbes Clark said. “With it, he inspired all those who knew him.”

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Sandberg also managed Philadelphia from August 2013 to June 2015, going 119-159. He got the interim job when Charlie Manuel was fired, and he resigned with the Phillies in the middle of a difficult 2015 season.

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