Ryne Sandberg (Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Ryne Sandberg is my favorite baseball player of all time. It’s not just his production on the field; it’s also the way he went about his business. Ryne wasn’t a trash talker and wasn’t a self-promoter. He was like a hero from days gone by. I’m not a fanboy; I just have tremendous respect for what Ryne accomplished and the way he went about his business.
A little background
Ryne grew up in Spokane, Washington, and attended North Central high school, where he was a three-sport star. His mother was a nurse, and his father was a mortician. I’ll let you make your own joke.
Ryne was a very good quarterback in high school, even being named to Parade Magazine’s High School All-America football team. He was recruited to play quarterback at NCAA Division I schools. He went so far as to sign a letter of intent with Washington State University before deciding to pursue a baseball career.
“It’s Ryne, not Ryan”
Especially early in his career, Ryne’s name was often mispronounced as Ryan. Ryne said one thing that helped clear up the inaccuracy was when Harry Caray started calling him Ryno. In Harry’s case, it was an expression of endearment, not a derogatory political expression.
Ryne was actually named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren. Duren probably had the same name issue.
Early days with the Phillies
Ryan began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization. He was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 draft. Sandberg moved up the Phillies organization quickly. While in the minor leagues, Ryne played primarily shortstop, though he started branching out, playing second base.
Sandberg made his Phillies’ debut as a shortstop in 1981. Ryne got one hit in six at bats. The Phillies’ determined that Sandberg was not their answer at shortstop, and he was blocked by Mike Schmidt and Manny Trillo and third base and second base respectively.
On to Chicago
Prior to the 1982 season, Sanberg was coupled with Larry Bowa in a trade to the Cubs for Ivan DeJesus. By that time Dallas Green was the Chicago Cubs’ GM. Green had been instrumental in the Phillies drafting Sandberg, so was familiar with him. At this time the Phillies has concluded that Sandberg would be nothing more than a utility infielder.
Sandberg began his Cubs career as a third baseman. He had a solid rookie season, hitting .271 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs to go with 32 stolen bases. His WAR was a very good 3.1.
In 1983 he put up similar offensive numbers but transitioned to second base. Sandberg won his first of nine consecutive gold gloves that season.
1984, The Sandberg Game, and Superstardom
While Sandberg was a very good player in his first two seasons as a Cub, his 1984 season catapulted him to superstardom. What is now known as The Sandberg Game gained Ryne national attention.
The Sandberg game took place on June 23, 1984. And it was the most exciting regular season Cubs’ game I’ve ever seen. The Cubs ultimately won in 11 innings with Sandberg hitting game-tying home runs off Cardinals’ closer and former Cub Bruce Sutter in the bottom of the ninth and tenth innings.
Harry Caray’s call of the second home run went this way: There’s a drive, way back! Might be outta here! It is! It is! He did it again! He did it again! The game is tied! The game is tied! Holy Cow! Listen to this crowd, everybody’s gone bananas!
Bob Costas was doing the game for NBC’s Game of the Week and called it thusly: “That’s the real Roy Hobbs because this can’t be happening! We’re sitting here, and it doesn’t make any difference if it’s 1984 or ‘54-just freeze this and don’t change a thing!”
After that, as they say in some circles, Sanberg was a made man.
More on 1984
Sandberg’s numbers for 1984 were phenomenal. He led the NL in runs scored with 114 and triples with 19. He also added 19 home runs among his 200 hits while hitting .314.
Sandberg’s MVP season helped propel the Cubs to their first playoff appearance since 1945.
Added power and continued superstardom
In 1985 Sandberg hit 26 home runs. In 1988 Sandberg elevated his home run production to 30. His stellar performance once again helped elevate the Cubs to the playoffs.
In 1992, Sandberg again hit 26 home runs while driving in 87 runs.
Later years of Ryno’s playing career
Sandberg saw a drop-off in production in in 1993. Despite his decline, he still put up a WAR of 3.4. The following season Ryne started off slowly and stepped away from the game for a while.
It was a sad time in Chicago sports. Two of Chicago’s most famous number 23s retired in a short time frame. Both Michael Jordan and Ryne Sandberg retired. Thankfully, both returned.
In 1996, Sandberg returned, hitting 25 home runs while driving in 92 runs. Ryne finished his playing career after the 1997 season.
Cubs Managerial career
Ryne began his managerial career in the Cubs organization in 2007 with the Cubs’ Class-A Peoria Chiefs. Sandberg worked his way up through the organization, being named the AAA Manager of the Year after guiding the Iowa Cubs to an 82–62 record in 2010.
Sandberg had expressed a desire to manage the Cubs, but when the job came open, the Cubs hired Mike Quade instead.
Back to the Phillies
After being passed over by the Cubs for their managerial position, Sandberg went back to the Phillies organization. He eventually worked his way up to the Phillies manager job in 2013.
Things didn’t go the way Ryne would have liked and stepped away from the job on June 26, 2015.
Ryne returned to the Cubs organization in 2016 as a goodwill ambassador.
And a happy ending to the story
Both Cubs’ fans and the organization are thrilled to have Ryno back. Ryne was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in December of 2023. Thankfully, Ryne recently reported that he was cancer free.
Ryne and his family, including his grandkids were at Wrigley Field for the unveiling of a statue of Ryne June 23, 2024.
It seems Ryne’s Chicago story has come full circle. And it seems like a fitting conclusion.
