In a released statement, he urged well-wishers to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging period.
“I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret, our incredibly supportive family, the best medical care team, and our dear friends,” Sandberg said. “We will continue to be positive, and strong, and fight to beat this. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family.”
Sandberg, known for his illustrious career, boasted a .285 batting average along with 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, and 344 stolen bases across 16 seasons in Major League Baseball.
Making his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, he soon transitioned to the Chicago Cubs in January 1982, where he solidified his status as one of the league's premier players.
Sandberg accumulated numerous accolades, including 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves, and the National League MVP title in 1984.
Sandberg stands as one of two Hall of Famers who initially emerged from the Phillies farm system but garnered their Hall of Fame recognition predominantly during their tenures with the Cubs. The other notable figure in this category is Ferguson Jenkins.
In 2005, Sandberg received the ultimate honor of induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Following his playing career, he briefly returned to the Phillies, managing parts of three seasons from 2013 to June 2015. He resigned as Phillies manager on June 26, 2015, with the team in last place in the National League East, holding a record of 26–48 – the worst in Major League Baseball at the time.
Jane Forbes Clark, the Hall of Fame chair, expressed confidence in Sandberg's resilience, citing his quiet intensity on the field as a testament to his tenacity in the face of adversity.
“During this difficult time, we join Cubs fans in Chicago, and baseball fans everywhere, in sending love and support to Ryne and Margaret and the entire Sandberg family," Clark said.
