Ryne Sandberg Hall of Fame Induction

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 Their Own Story

The air inside Cooperstown was thick with reverence as the announcer called out the name that had echoed through Wrigley Field for sixteen years. Ryne Sandberg stood before the crowd, his face etched with the quiet dignity he always displayed on the field. He looked not at the plaque being unveiled, but toward the horizon where a small section of the audience wore blue and red. In that moment, the roar of the fans felt like the crack of a bat against a perfect pitch, a sound that had defined his life.

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. Sandberg emerged with a breakout season in 1984, in which he batted .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. 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 for relief pitcher Ryne Duren.
• He 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.
• The trade that sent Sandberg from the Phillies to the Cubs is considered one of the best in recent Cubs history and one of the worst in Phillies history.