Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg Dies at 65

The baseball star's passing comes shortly after he publicly shared a health update with fans, revealing that the past few months had been "challenging" for him.

Ryne Sandberg, who famously played for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball, has passed away at 65 following a battle with cancer.

The team's executive chairman, Tom Ricketts, confirmed his death in a statement. "Ryne 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," he said.

Ricketts praised the team's former second baseman for his passion for the sport, "His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career."

Sandberg spent most of his 16-year sporting career with the Cubs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. When he retired, he was MLB's record-holder for home runs as a second baseman (277 of his 282 shots).

In addition to his successful career, he also encountered health issues. Sandberg was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in January 2024. Two weeks before he died, he reportedly provided fans with an update, sharing:

"It's been a challenging few months as I have been regularly going through treatment on a regular basis."

The Washington native expressed a desire to fight, adding that he would make the most of his time by spending it with family and friends.

He sadly passed on, surrounded by his wife, Margaret Koehnemann. Sandberg is also survived by his two children, Justin and Lindsey Sandberg, from his first marriage to Cindy White.