Ryne Sandberg, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and an iconic player for generations of Chicago Cubs fans, revealed Monday that he was recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Sandberg, 64, shared the news on his Instagram account, announcing that he has already begun treatment.
“I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret, our incredibly supportive family, the best medical care team, and our dear friends,” Sandberg wrote. “We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family.”
Sandberg, who maintains a residence in suburban Chicago, remains connected to the Cubs as an ambassador for the team and a regular presence around Wrigley Field.
Sandberg’s arrival, via a lopsided trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, helped transform the Cubs into a playoff team in 1984 and 1989. Sandberg became a face of the franchise as the Cubs broadcast their games on the WGN superstation and installed lights for night games at the Friendly Confines.
Sandberg played 15 of his 16 major-league seasons with the Cubs, piling up 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. He was the National League MVP in 1984 and one of the greatest second basemen ever, earning his Cooperstown plaque in 2005.
The Cubs are planning to unveil a Sandberg statue this year outside Wrigley Field, honoring him with a monument to pair with the 23 flag that symbolizes his retired jersey number. The statue ceremony is scheduled for June 23, the 40th anniversary of “The Sandberg Game,” when he went 5-for-6 with two late home runs off Bruce Sutter in a 12-11 comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sandberg later managed minor-league affiliates for the Cubs, climbing the ladder from the Class-A level to Triple-A Iowa. He used those experiences to return to Philadelphia as the Phillies manager for parts of three seasons (2013-2015).
“We cannot imagine how incredibly tough it is right now for Ryne and his family, but we do know Ryne is one tough competitor and a winner,” said Julian Green, the Cubs senior vice president of communications. “We are rallying around his family with locked arms as they begin their journey to conquer this battle with cancer.”
Jane Forbes Clark, the chairman of the board of directors for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, released a statement: “Part of what made Ryne a tremendous talent on the field was his quiet intensity, and we have no doubt he’ll bring the same tenacity to this fight. During this difficult time, we join Cubs fans in Chicago, and baseball fans everywhere, in sending love and support to Ryne and Margaret and the entire Sandberg family.”
(Top photo of Ryne Sandberg: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
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