MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs Apr 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; L-R Billy Williams Lee Smith Ryne Sandberg, Ferguson Jenkins and Andre Dawson Sandberg, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs announce the tragic passing of HOF and 10x All-Star Ryne Sandberg

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Cariola | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 10:45 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs had a wonderful Hall of Fame weekend, taking two of three games from their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox . The Cubs had one Hall of Famer on their brain in Ryne Sandberg, who sadly missed the festivities due to his cancer coming back.

Sadly, the worst has occurred, with the great Cubs second baseman and Hall of Famer tragically losing his battle to prostate cancer.

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg tragically passed away

Earlier today, the Cubs lost one of the best second basemen they’ve ever had, with the Cubs announcing that Sandberg has sadly passed away after his battle with prostate cancer. Sandberg (known as Ryno) had been battling prostate cancer for some time, and at one point appeared to be in the clear until it came back earlier this year. Sandberg was 65 years old.

“With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today.”

With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today. pic.twitter.com/LJJ0jGqSy5

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2025

Sandberg’s Hall of Fame career

MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs MLB: San Diego Padres at the Cubs Apr 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Sandberg’s 16-year Hall of Fame career started with him becoming a 20th-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1978 MLB Draft. Sandberg debuted with the Phillies in the 1981 season and played in 13 games, hitting .167 with an OPS of .333.

That was the last time Sandberg was in Philadelphia as a Phillie, as he and fellow Phillies infielder, Larry Bowa, were traded to the Cubs in the 1982 offseason for shortstop Iván De Jesús. Sandberg would play 15 straight seasons with the Cubs, where he was named an All-Star 10 times, won the Gold Glove nine times, was a seven-time Silver Slugger winner, and was named the Most Valuable Player in 1984.

Among the all-time Cubs greats, Sandberg is fourth all-time in hits (2,385), fifth in home runs (282), and third in runs (1,316). Thank you, Ryno, you will be missed!

MLB: Hall of Fame Parade of Legends MLB: Hall of Fame Parade of Legends Jul 20, 2024; Cooperstown, New York, USA; Hall of Fame member Ryne Sandberg arrives at the National Baseball Hall of Fame during the Parade of Legends in Cooperstown, NY. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: