CHICAGO (WLS) — Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg is being remembered for his greatness on and off the baseball field.
People have been paying their respect to number 23 outside Wrigley Field Tuesday morning.
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Ryno died Monday from prostate cancer at the age of 65.
The departure of Ryne Sandberg has been hard for many to accept, and since the heartbreaking announcement, loyal baseball fans have gathered at Wrigley Field for a final farewell to 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.
In August, he said he was cancer free, but months later announced the cancer had returned and spread throughout his body.
“A lot of people spoke about his kindness and character,” said Cubs enthusiast Apryl Orosco. “I knew he was fighting cancer, but I didn’t fully grasp the situation until now.”
Ryne 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 number 23 jersey that same year.
The Chicago Cubs will now honor Sandberg for the rest of the season with a special jersey patch.
Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Chicago Cubs, expressed in a statement, “Ryne Sandberg was an icon for a generation of Cubs fans and will be celebrated as one of the greatest in our franchise’s rich history of nearly 150 years.”
Despite retiring, Sandberg remained active in the game he loved.
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.
“All he ever wanted was to be on the baseball field and cherish those moments,” Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner remarked. “We are incredibly fortunate that he joined us this season, and he holds a special place in our hearts.”
Despite his numerous athletic achievements, Ryne Sandberg is best remembered for the legendary Sandberg Game. On June 23, 1984, against the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit two crucial home runs that tied the game, leading to an eventual Cubs victory.
Cardinals fan Jeremy Cahnmann was there.
“I watched the first eight innings of that game and was heading to the car when Sandberg hit his second home run, clinching the win for the Cubs,” recalled Cahnmann. “I was quite upset at the time, but it’s all a part of the legend that is 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.”
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