Sports World Reacts to Death of Cubs Great Ryne Sandberg

Ryan Phillips | Jul 28, 2025

Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg died on Monday at the age of 65. It didn't take long for tributes to pour in for the beloved former All-Star.

The Hall of Famer was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2024, and at one point was declared cancer-free, though the disease came back and spread to other organs a few months later.

The sports world was quick to pay tribute to one of the greatest Cubs ever.

With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today. pic.twitter.com/LJJ0jGqSy5

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2025

Tributes are beginning to pour in for Ryne Sandberg across tonight's MLB broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/oN2t5MetvX

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 29, 2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

The beloved Cubs second baseman was a five-tool model of consistency in the 1980s and early ’90s, making 10 consecutive All-Star teams and winning 9 straight Gold Glove awards.

On June 23, 1984, a national TV… pic.twitter.com/KuCazvlnj2

— MLB (@MLB) July 29, 2025

RIP Ryno pic.twitter.com/XCJ5LDx4Jn

— Bleacher Jeff (@BleacherJeff) July 29, 2025

For those of us who grew up in the 1980s, there were two teams who were always on.

The Braves (TNT) and the Cubs (WGN).

By default, Dale Murphy and Ryne Sandberg became part of our childhood.

A piece of all of us is lost now. #RIPRyno pic.twitter.com/PkURYFrwH5

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 29, 2025

The Hall of Fame remembers Class of 2005 inductee Ryne Sandberg, who passed away Monday at the age of 65. https://t.co/H32KADOHTo pic.twitter.com/4XpJRx356W

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 29, 2025

I still remember the pure joy I had when I pulled this out of a pack of saved up for in the early nineties. RIP Ryne Sandberg pic.twitter.com/Nno38IMa6w

— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) July 29, 2025

Rest in Peace to Ryne Sandberg 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/E7ivnnRgry

— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) July 29, 2025

Super Sky Point to Ryne Sandberg, my favorite second baseman of all time. I will never forget the countless hours tuned into WGN with Harry Caray and Steve Stone during those beautiful childhood summers that lasted forever. Before we knew how fast time actually flies and that our… pic.twitter.com/jQrNzvfJzZ

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) July 29, 2025

The Cubs just shared the news that Ryne Sandberg has tragically passed away.

Rest in peace Ryno. pic.twitter.com/bg5S33anji

— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) July 29, 2025

Everybody loved Ryne Sandberg because he was a reluctant hero, the humblest superstar ever, who never asked to be modern-day Mr. Cub but embraced the role anyway. Like he was for so many in a generation, he was my favorite player. Was a thrill to work with him later. RIP, Ryno.

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) July 29, 2025

These are just a sampling. The 2005 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame was widely respected during and after his playing days. He was a 10-time All-Star, was named National League MVP in 1984, and won nine Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger awards. The Cubs retired his number (23) in 2005, the year he was enshrined in Cooperstown. The franchise also honored him with a sculpture in a park outside Wrigley Field in 2024.

Sandberg was Mr. Cub to an entire generation of fans. His passing is a tragedy for the MLB world.

Subscribe to SI:AM. Wake Up With SI:AM. dark. Free Newsletter

---

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

feed