Monday\u2019s game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers was not on the front of many Cubs fans after it was announced by the organization during the game that one of the greatest players in team history, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, has passed away at the age of 65. And after the game on the Cubs postgame show on Marquee Sports Network, a touching tribute was put together in Sandberg\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n
Sandberg, who played for the organization for 15 seasons, lost his battle with cancer on Monday<\/a>\u00a0after announcing back in December that his prostate cancer had returned and spread to other organs<\/a> after previously being deemed cancer-free last August<\/a>.<\/p>\n The legacy Sandberg leaves behind as a player is undeniable, reaching ten All-Star games, winning nine Gold Glove Awards, and winning an MVP in 1984. Sandberg is just one of six players in the history of the Cubs to have their number retired by the team and also rightfully took his place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.<\/p>\n In addition to all he did for the Cubs organization on the field, he also served as a part-time analyst for Marquee Sports Network<\/a>, the network of the Cubs, a role that he served in starting in 2021.<\/p>\n After Monday\u2019s game, Marquee Sports Network dedicated much of their postgame show to honor Sandberg with a tribute video that lasted over 11 minutes, telling the story of how his illustrious career in baseball came to be.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Additionally, Monday\u2019s postgame show included many touching comments from public figures in sports media and within the organization how spoke glowingly about Sandberg\u2019s legacy in baseball.<\/p>\n One of the many included Bob Costas, who was of course on the call of perhaps his greatest career moment, the \u201cSandberg Game\u201d<\/a> in 1984, where Sandberg hit two home runs off of Hall of Fame reliever Bruce Sutter in the span of two innings.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is heartbreaking,\u201d said Costas. \u201cThe fact that it doesn\u2019t come as a surprise doesn\u2019t lessen the heartbreak. He was only 65 years old. And until his cancer hit\u2026 Even a year ago, when you and I were present at the unveiling of his statue, he looked great, felt great. The cancer was in remission until only a couple months later it came back. At that point, you are looking at a 64-year-old man. There is some video of it with his wife, Margaret and the big crowd outside Wrigley Field. That scene right there meant as much to me as anything else you could have mentioned.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of the ball players, I guess Craig Counsell led them out. All of the ball players in uniform, showing the generational connections that are almost unique to baseball. And the respect shown to one of the great players in the franchises history. That was such a great day in every way. And we had reason to believe that Ryne had many good years ahead with his family, with his grandchildren. And then it came back and it\u2019s terribly sad. It\u2019s a cliche when you say, \u2018Someone was great at what they did. But they were also a wonderful person.\u2019 Sometimes, that is only partially true. Ryne Sandberg was a heck of a good guy. It\u2019s just heartbreaking that his life should be cut short this way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyne Sandberg was a heck of a good guy, and it\u2019s just heartbreaking that his life should be cut short this way.\u201d<\/p>\n Bob Costas, who was on the call for the \u201cSandberg Game\u201d, remembers Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com\/ve0sJHT97M<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Several members of the Cubs organization also spoke about Sandberg, including manager Craig Counsell, Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and Matthew Boyd all offering some touching comments about the late Cubs legend in their postgame comments with the media.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a sad day for the Chicago Cubs. He was a great Cub and I\u2019m grateful we got a chance to get to know him this spring.\u201d<\/p>\n Craig Counsell on the passing of Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com\/5vhZAs216R<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s kind of the blueprint for what it means to be an amazing Cub.\u201d<\/p>\n Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner on Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com\/ZuDmbkVGoC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cYou knew how much he loved being a Cub \u2026 He was a special man. We\u2019ll miss him very much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ian Happ on Ryne Sandberg. pic.twitter.com\/ylcWfqOK26<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI got to meet Ryno this spring, and he treated me like I\u2019d worn a Cub uniform my whole life.\u201d \u2013 Matthew Boyd pic.twitter.com\/DPJN1HCXkT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It is naturally going to take Cubs fans quite some time to get over this truly unfortunate news of his passing. But clearly, Sandberg is someone who will not only be remembered, but celebrated for many years to come.<\/p>\n \t