• Faith: Christian
• Career: Athlete
• Birthday:  September 18, 1959
• Date of Death:  July 28, 2025

Ryne Sandberg was a professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Ryne Dee Sandberg was born on September 18, 1959, in Spokane, Washington, the youngest of four children to Derwent “Sandy” Sandberg, a mortician, and Elizabeth “Libby” Sandberg, a nurse. He was named after Yankees relief pitcher Ryne Duren and raised in a home marked by discipline, faith, and strong values. His father was the son of a Swedish immigrant, while his mother was the daughter of a Methodist missionary minister originally from Vermont.

At North Central High School in Spokane, Sandberg excelled as a three-sport athlete—baseball, basketball, and football. As a quarterback, he earned All-American honors and accepted a football scholarship to Washington State University. But when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 20th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft, he chose to pursue a professional baseball career instead.

Sandberg began his professional career with the Phillies organization in 1978, starting in rookie ball with Helena, where he hit .311. Over the next few seasons, he quickly progressed through the minor leagues, playing shortstop at the Class-A and Class-AA levels before reaching AAA Oklahoma City in 1981. He made his Major League debut with the Phillies on September 2, 1981. However, with established stars like Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt ahead of him on the roster, Sandberg’s opportunities in Philadelphia were limited. That winter, the Phillies traded him and Larry Bowa to the Chicago Cubs—a trade that would become one of the most lopsided in MLB history.

Upon arriving in Chicago, Sandberg was initially used in the outfield and at third base before being moved to second base in 1983. That season, he won his first Gold Glove and established himself as a premier defensive player. In 1984, he truly broke out as a superstar, batting .314, leading the National League in runs and triples, stealing 32 bases, and winning the NL Most Valuable Player award as the Cubs captured their first division title in nearly four decades.

That same season, Sandberg delivered what would become one of the most iconic performances in Cubs history—the legendary "Sandberg Game" on June 23, 1984. Facing the rival St. Louis Cardinals, he hit two dramatic game-tying home runs off ace reliever Bruce Sutter in the ninth and tenth innings. The Cubs went on to win 12–11 in extra innings, and the game instantly elevated Sandberg to national prominence.

Sandberg continued to build his legacy throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. He was selected to ten consecutive All-Star Games from 1984 through 1993. During that span, he also earned nine straight Gold Glove Awards and seven Silver Slugger Awards, recognizing his excellence on both sides of the game. In 1990, he led the National League in home runs with 40—an extraordinary accomplishment for a second baseman, especially one batting second in the lineup. He also set a major-league record for second basemen with a .989 career fielding percentage.

In June 1994, frustrated with his declining performance, Sandberg made the surprising decision to retire mid-season. He returned for two final seasons in 1996 and 1997 before retiring for good. By the end of his career, he had compiled a .285 batting average, 2,386 hits, 282 home runs (then the most ever by a second baseman), and 1,061 RBIs.

In 2005, Sandberg was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his third ballot, receiving 76.2% of the vote. He became the first Cubs player since Ernie Banks to enter Cooperstown based primarily on accomplishments with the team. The Cubs honored him by retiring his number 23 and unveiling a statue of him outside Wrigley Field in 2024.

Following his playing career, Sandberg remained involved in the game. He managed in the Cubs’ minor-league system from 2007 to 2010 before joining the Philadelphia Phillies organization. In 2013, he was named manager of the Phillies, becoming the first Hall of Famer to manage in the majors since Frank Robinson. He stepped down in 2015 after compiling a 119–159 record.

In 2016, Sandberg returned to the Cubs as an ambassador, making public appearances and occasionally serving as a television analyst. That same year, he received a World Series championship ring after the Cubs ended their 108-year title drought—a fitting honor for a man so deeply connected to the franchise.

Sandberg married his high school sweetheart, Cindy, in 1979. The couple had two children, Justin and Lindsey, before divorcing in July 1995. Just a month later, he married Margaret, a devoted wife who brought three children from a previous marriage—BR, Adriane, and Steven—into their blended family. Sandberg embraced the role of stepfather and was deeply committed to raising their children with faith and love. The couple remained together for nearly 30 years.

At the time of his passing, Sandberg was a father to two biological children and stepfather to three more. He was also a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren: Joshua, Micah, Eli, Brooklyn, Owen, Nathan, Weston, Adalyn, Bode, Stella, and Roman. He often expressed how much joy his family brought him and how meaningful it was to him to be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

In January 2024, Sandberg revealed publicly that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He remained hopeful and resilient, asking fans to keep him in their prayers as he began treatment. For a time, there was good news—by August 2024, he announced that he was cancer-free. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in December of that year and spread to other parts of his body.

Despite undergoing further treatment in early 2025, Sandberg’s condition worsened. He passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on July 28, 2025. He was 65 years old.

Ryne Sandberg's Religious Beliefs

Christian faith played a central role in Ryne Sandberg’s life. His mother, the daughter of a Methodist missionary, instilled spiritual values in him from an early age. These principles became deeply woven into his identity, influencing both his family life and the way he approached his career.

Together with his wife Margaret, Sandberg cultivated a home rooted in faith, community, and service. He often spoke about the importance of integrity, respect, and compassion—values that closely aligned with his Christian beliefs. These principles were reflected in his conduct as a player, a manager, and a public figure.

Sandberg’s commitment to service extended beyond the baseball field. He founded Ryno Kid Care, a charitable organization aimed at supporting children with serious illnesses and their families. The mission behind the charity underscored his desire to uplift others through kindness and faith in action.

During his battle with cancer, Sandberg’s faith remained strong. He leaned on his spiritual convictions to find peace and strength, often asking fans to pray for him and his family. In his public messages, he conveyed gratitude for the support he received and remained focused on hope. His final months were marked by grace, courage, and unwavering trust in God.