July 29 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs icon Ryne Sandberg has died after a battle with cancer, the team announced. He was 65.
The Cubs said Sandberg died while surrounded by family Monday at his home. The Hall of Fame second baseman announced in 2024 that he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He said in August that he was cancer free, but announced in December that the cancer returned and spread throughout his body.
"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," Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. "His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career.
"He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father and grandfather."
Sandberg was born Sept. 18, 1959, in Spokane, Wash. He went on to star at the city's North Central High School before being picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft.
