Former Philadelphia Phillies manager and Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg passed away on July 28, 2025, after a battle with prostate cancer, the Chicago Cubs and Sandberg's family announced Monday night. He was 65.
Sandberg, a 10-time All-Star with the Cubs known for his stellar combination of power, speed, and defense, was originally drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 Draft. He only played 13 games with the team before being shipped off to Chicago, where he spent the next 15 years as an anchor of the Cubs' lineup.
With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today. pic.twitter.com/LJJ0jGqSy5
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2025
He returned to Philadelphia in 2011 to coach the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate. The club promoted him in mid-2013, and he managed the Phillies during one of the franchise's roughest recent stretches. His only stint managing in the majors, Sandberg left the Phillies in mid-2015.
Former Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg battled cancer since January 2024
Sandberg announced his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024. His message, released by the Cubs organization, shared his optimism surrounding treatment, and detailed the support team that surrounded him, including his wife, Margaret, their family and friends, and medical professionals.
In May 2024, Sandberg announced via his Instagram that he was "officially cancer-free." In December, however, the former MLB star provided another update, stating that the cancer had returned. For the next several months, Sandberg regularly provided treatment updates, with the latest lamenting to Cubs fans his lack of attendance at Wrigley Field this season.
Ryne Sandberg dazzled in Cubs infield, had struggles managing Phillies
As manager, Sandberg oversaw one of the roughest points in recent Phillies history, being a part of the bridge between the trio of Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley to the modern makeup of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. From mid-2013 to mid-2015, Sandberg led the Phillies to a 119-159 record before resigning in late June 2015.
With the Cubs, Sandberg swiftly became a fan-favorite, securing an NL MVP award in 1984, his third year with the team. After his first two seasons, which saw him earn a sixth-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting and earn a Gold Glove award, Sandberg would make 10 consecutive All-Star games from 1984 to 1993. Over that stretch, he accumulated 56.3 bWAR, and, per season, averaged 28 doubles, 22 homers, 25 steals and an .835 OPS.
Alongside his 1984 MVP honor and his 10 All-Star selections, Sandberg was a nine-time Gold Glover, a seven-time Silver Slugger, and won the 1990 Home Run Derby, the first of only two second basemen to win.
All-time, Sandberg is one of only eight players with at least 400 doubles, 300 stolen bases, 250 homers and 75 triples. Impressively, Sandberg played 300 fewer games than the next-lowest mark on the list. As a second baseman, he also has the third-most homers at the position with 275, behind Jeff Kent and Robinson Canó.
After retiring in 1997, Sandberg didn't wait long for enshrinement in Cooperstown. He was selected on his third ballot in 2005, garnering 76.2 percent of ballots submitted, alongside Wade Boggs.
Shortly after his induction ceremony, the Cubs retired Sandberg's jersey, only the fourth Cub at the time to have their number retired. Other Cubs retirees include Hall of Famers Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Greg Maddux, and Fergie Jenkins. Alongside all save Maddux, Sandberg is immortalized in a statue outside of Wrigley Field, a final testament to his legacy as a Chicago Cub, and baseball immortality.