Cancer cells
Cancer cells Unsplash.com

Baseball Hall of Famer and Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at the age of 65, following an extended battle with metastatic prostate cancer. The Cubs confirmed his death on 28 July 2025, noting he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Sandberg had shared updates about his condition in the months prior, but his final public message, posted just two weeks before his death, is now gaining renewed attention.

MLB Community Pays Tribute to a Baseball Icon

In a statement reported by Reuters, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred described Sandberg as 'legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball'. He also praised his combination of power, speed and work ethics.

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts also paid tribute to Sandberg in a statement. As reported by CBS News, he said that 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'.

Tributes have poured in from across the baseball world, with fans and former teammates recalling not only his achievements on the field, but also his dignity and openness throughout his health battle. In Sandberg's memory, MLB has pledged support to cancer awareness initiatives including Stand Up To Cancer.

The Final Message Fans Overlooked

Sandberg's last known public statement came via Instagram on 14 July 2025. In the message, he wrote that the few months have been challenging but he's 'continuing to fight'. He also thanked his fans for all the support and messages.

The post, calm and filled with gratitude, was largely missed at the time. In hindsight, it offers a quiet farewell from one of the franchise's greatest ambassadors, and reflects Sandberg's enduring love for the team and its fans.

From MVP to Mentor: A Hall of Fame Career

Sandberg's Major League career spanned from 1981 to 1997, including 15 seasons with the Cubs after his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was named National League MVP in 1984 and was selected as an All-Star ten times. Known for his defensive skill, Sandberg earned nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards and tied the second base record with seven Silver Sluggers.

His most famous performance, now dubbed 'The Sandberg Game', came on 23 June 1984 when he hit two late game-tying home runs against Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. That moment propelled him to national stardom and the Cubs to their first postseason in four decades.

Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and had his number 23 jersey retired by the Cubs the same year.

A Public Battle With Cancer

In January 2024, Sandberg announced his diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. He later reported being cancer-free in August 2024, but by December the disease had returned and spread. Despite the challenges, Sandberg remained active on social media and stayed engaged with the Cubs' community.

In June 2024, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Sandberg outside Wrigley Field, celebrating 40 years since his legendary performance against the Cardinals. It would be one of his final public milestones before his condition worsened.

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