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.