Chicago Cubs fans, players, beat writers pay tribute to Ryne Sandberg after death at 65

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg is being remembered for his greatness on and off the baseball field.

People have been paying their respects to No. 23 outside Wrigley Field Tuesday.

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"Ryno" died Monday from prostate cancer at the age of 65.

No one at Wrigley wants to believe Sandberg is gone. Since hearing the sad news, the baseball faithful have flocked to Gallagher Way for one last moment with Ryno.

"I think I'm being hit by a wave of emotion right now," Cubs fan Rich Cole said. "Memories and everything."

RELATED: Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg dies after cancer battle

The 65-year old Cubs legend and Hall of Famer died Monday with prostate cancer. He was first diagnosed in 2024.

"It's not surprising at all that fans miss him and just wanna show their support for the family now," Cubs fan Jeff Roesch said.

In August, he said he was cancer free, but months later announced the cancer had returned and spread throughout his body.

"So many people said how good of a person he was and everything," Cubs fan Apryl Orosco said. "And I knew he was battling cancer, but I didn't realize. You know what I mean."

Sandberg played second base, and spent 15 years with the Chicago Cubs.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, and the team retired his No. 23 jersey that same year.

He was also an MVP, ten-time all-star and nine-time Gold Glove winner.

The Cubs will now honor Sandberg for the rest of the season with a special jersey patch.

In a statement, the Chicago Cubs team chairman Tom Ricketts said, "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."

Despite retiring, Sandberg remained active in the game he loved.

Sandberg threw out the first pitch at Wrigley last April.

He was a regular at the Cubs spring training camp in Arizona, offering his support to players.

He was surprised by former teammates during this year's camp after missing camp last year because of his cancer treatment.

Players say Sandberg was beloved for his work ethic and his quiet leadership and truly embodied what it means to be a Cub.

"There's nothing he wanted more than to be on the baseball field and to share that time and be present," Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said. "We're all incredibly lucky that he was a part of our season this year and he means a lot."

And even with all of his athletic accomplishments, Sandberg is most notably remembered for the Sandberg Game - the regular season game against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 23 back in 1984, when he hit two game-tying home runs. The Cubs eventually won the game.

Cardinals fan Jeremy Cahnmann was there.

"I was there for the first eight innings of that game, and we walked to the car as Sandberg just hit the second home run to win the game for the Cubs," Cahnmann said. "I was very upset. I was very upset that day, but it's just part of the myth that was Ryne Sandberg."

The Ryne Sandberg statue was unveiled last year on the 40th anniversary of that game.

Tuesday, the artist responsible for the sculpture placed a single rose for his friend he says will forever be known as the modern-day Mr. Cub.

"They say, 'people, don't meet your heroes,'" sculptor Lou Cella said. "They'll let you down. They're gonna hear people say, and I can back it up. This was a hero you wanted to meet; this is the one who isn't gonna let you down."

There was a steady stream of fans all day, dropping off flowers or mementoes.

Todd Callister spent a few minutes taking in the scene at the statue. He spoke for thousands of Cubs fans in remembering the North Side baseball icon.

"He was my idol since I was a kid, so, been watching him my entire life, made me a lifelong Cubs fan," Callister said.

With the exception of a few games with the Phillies when he broke into the league, Sandberg played his entire career with the Cubs: 15 seasons.

He remained involved with the organization until the end.

"Not only do we owe him a debt of gratitude as fans for what he did on the field but what he meant to the entire organization," Ricketts said.

Ricketts was one of those fans in the 80s during Sandberg's heyday. He says Sandberg was a great baseball player and teammate, but an even better person.

"If you really knew him personally, what you remember about Ryne Sandberg is he was just a great family man to his kids and 11 grandkids. He was always with them and dedicated all his time for them," he said.

Longtime Cubs beat writer and columnist for the Chicago Tribune Paul Sullivan says Sandberg redefined the second-base position.

"He started out with the Cubs as a third baseman in his first year, moved over to second and won a Gold Glove in his first year, which is almost unheard of, and won it every year ever since," Sullivan said.

Barry Rozner, a longtime sports columnist and beat writer for the Daily Herald, was close to Sandberg.

He co-authored Sandberg's autobiography, and co-wrote his Hall of Fame speech.

He said in their last conversation, Ryno spoke about gratitude, how lucky he felt to be embraced by fans the way he was. They talked about family, the love he had for his wife and kids and grandkids.

He always remained positive and upbeat. This past January, he was introduced at the Cubs convention to a huge ovation. His blue collar approach, quiet leadership and humility made him beloved and relatable to fans.

Former Teammate Bobby Dernier has known Sandberg for nearly 50 years, and stayed in close touch with Sandberg and his family.

"He valued the fans as much as anyone, demonstrated how to treat people," Dernier said.

This weekend, the Cubs are planning a special tribute at cancer fundraiser Cubs for a Cure.

In a post on X Tuesday, the White Sox said "Prior to tonight's game, a moment of silence was held to honor Ryne Sandberg. Our hearts are with the Sandberg family, former teammates and the Cubs organization."