Ryne Sandberg, Hall of Fame second baseman who spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs, has passed away due, the team announced today. He was 65. He had announced in January, 2024, that he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Sandberg was originally a 20th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, and got a cup of coffee with them in 1981. After the 1981 season, when veteran shortstop Larry Bowa was feuding with the Phillies over a new contract, they opted to ship Bowa off to the Cubs for
Ivan DeJesus. However, because DeJesus was younger and better, the Phillies had to include Sandberg in the deal for the Cubs to pull the trigger. It ended up being one of the worst trades in Phillies history.
In his first season with Chicago, Sandberg slashed .271/.312/.372 with 32 stolen bases, finishing 6th in the Rookie of the Year balloting. The next season, he won a Gold Glove while slashing .261/.316/.351. He broke out in 1984, leading the Cubs to a division title while slashing .314/.367/.520, stealing 32 bases, and putting up a National League leading 8.5 bWAR. He won the National League MVP, along with the Silver Slugger and another Gold Glove.
Sandberg had four seasons where he posted a bWAR of 7 or higher, and ended his career with a 67.9 bWAR, 11th best among second basemen of all time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005, on his third ballot.
