The Ryne Sandberg & Ron Santo Years (1982-1996)

Lore & Background

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.

Reader's Guide

Sandberg was a three-sport star at North Central High School and graduated in 1978. He was drafted in the 20th round of the 1978 baseball amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He made his major-league debut as a shortstop for the Phillies in 1981. He was traded to the Cubs prior to the 1982 season.

The Cubs installed Sandberg as their third baseman in 1982, before shifting him to second base late in the season. After the Cubs acquired Ron Cey following the 1982 season, they moved Sandberg to second base full-time. He won the Gold Glove Award for second base in 1983, the first of nine consecutive such awards. In 1984, Sandberg emerged with a breakout season, batting .314 with 200 hits, 114 runs, 36 doubles, 19 triples, 19 home runs, and 84 RBIs.

He was named the National League Most Valuable Player. In 1985, Sandberg batted .305 with 26 home runs, 83 RBIs, 113 runs scored, and a career-high 54 stolen bases. In 1990, Sandberg led the National League in home runs with 40.

Did You Know?

• Sandberg was named for relief pitcher Ryne Duren.
• Sandberg's one hit in his brief 1981 stint with the Phillies occurred at Wrigley Field using a bat borrowed from starting shortstop Larry Bowa.
• The trade that sent Sandberg to the Cubs is considered one of the best in recent Cubs history and one of the worst in Phillies history.
• Sandberg was one triple and one home run shy of being the first player in MLB history to collect 200 hits, 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in the same season.