Inside The Phillies

Former Phillies Player and Manager Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Terrible news about a former Philadelphia Phillies player and manager was announced by him on Monday.
Brad Wakai|
Former Phillies Player and Manager Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
Former Phillies Player and Manager Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

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Philadelphia Phillies

The reality of life is that it's difficult to see some of the game's greatest players and heroes to many, seemingly become mortal.

That was the case with former Philadelphia Phillies player and manager, Ryne Sandberg on Monday, Jan. 22 when he released a statement that said he has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, something he has begun treatment for.

Sandberg was originally drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft.

His time with the organization was short, spending almost four years in the farm system before making his Major League debut in 1981. He only appeared in 13 games with Philadelphia and was ultimately traded to the Chicago Cubs prior to the 1982 season.

With the Cubs, his career took off.

Sandberg finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1982, signaling some great things to come.

However, 1983 is when his Hall of Fame career really started.

That year began a streak of eight-straight Gold Glove honors that ended in 1992. From 1984-93, he made the All-Star Game in 10-straight seasons.

He won the National League MVP in 1984, finished with nine Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards and a Home Run Derby trophy to boot.

Sandberg retired following 1997 with the most home runs ever hit by a second baseman at the time (277) and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.

The former Phillie returned to the franchise in 2011 as their Triple-A manager, winning Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year award. He eventually got his shot at managing in The Show after Charlie Manuel was fired late in 2013.

Sandberg was manager from 2013-15, accumulating a record of 119-159, before he resigned as Philadelphia sat in last place of their division and had the worst record in the MLB.

While his tenure leading the team didn't go as planned, there are more important things than baseball.

"Ryno" has asked people to keep him and his family in thoughts and prayers as he battles his cancer diagnosis.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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