Ryne Sandberg

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sandberg was named for relief pitcher Ryne Duren. He was a three-sport star at North Central High School and graduated in 1978. In the fall of 1977, he was named to Parade's High School All-America football team. The school's baseball field was named in his honor in 1985 as "Ryne Sandberg Field," and his varsity number was retired in both football and baseball. Sandberg was recruited to play quarterback at NCAA Division I colleges, and eventually signed a letter of intent with Washington State University in Pullman. He opted not to attend after being selected in the 20th round of the 1978 baseball amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.

In Their Own Story

The crowd roared for their favorite son, the man who had anchored the infield for over a decade. He adjusted his batting gloves, staring down the pitcher from across the diamond that was his home for fifteen seasons. There were no Braves fans in this moment, only the sea of blue and red that celebrated a legend who belonged entirely to Chicago.

Reader's Guide

After a slow start to his career, Sandberg made a name for himself on June 23, 1984, having a career game including two home runs in what colloquially became known as the "Sandberg Game." After that, Sandberg established himself as a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove candidate, making 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991. His career .989 fielding percentage was a major-league record at second base when he retired in 1997. He is tied with Jose Altuve for the most Silver Slugger Awards for a second baseman with seven. In 2005, Sandberg was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After his playing career, Sandberg coached in the minor leagues for the Cubs and Phillies organizations. After briefly serving as a base coach for the Phillies, he became the manager of the Phillies in the middle of the 2013 season, serving in the role until his resignation in the middle of the 2015 season.

Did You Know?

• Sandberg was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, not after himself.
• Sandberg's one hit in his 1981 debut occurred at Wrigley Field using a bat borrowed from starting shortstop Larry Bowa.
• The trade that sent Sandberg from the Phillies to the Cubs is considered one of the best in Cubs history and one of the worst in Phillies history.