Ryne Sandberg
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| Missing image ChicagoCubs_100.png | |
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| Ryne Sandberg | |
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| Position | Second Base (1,995-games) 3B (133-gms) SS (7-games) CF (1-game) |
| MLB Seasons | 16 (15 CHC; 13-games @ PHI) |
| Teams | Cubs Phillies |
| Debut | 2 Sept. 1981 (PHI) |
| Final Game | 28 Sept. 1997 (CHC) |
| Total Games | 2,164 batting (2,135 fielding) |
| LCS Appearances | 1984, 1989 |
| World Series Teams | (none) |
| Allstar Teams | 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 |
| Awards | Gold Glove (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991) |
| National League MVP (1984) | |
| The Sporting News Player of the Year (1984) | |
| Silver Slugger (1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992) | |
| Nicknames' | |
| "Ryno" "Kid Natural" | |
Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18, 1959 in Spokane, Washington), nicknamed "Ryno", is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best second basemen of all time. Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2005; he will be formally inducted in ceremonies on July 31.
Sandberg made his major league debut as a shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981. Thought to have little future with the club except as a utility infielder, he was traded along with shortstop Larry Bowa to the Cubs for shortstop Ivan DeJesus prior to the 1982 season.
The Cubs, who initially wanted Sandberg to play center field, installed him as their third baseman, and he went on to be one of the top-rated rookies of 1982. However, Sandberg was displaced by Chicago's free-agent signing of veteran Ron Cey following the 1982 season, so Sandberg moved to second base, where he became a star. After winning a Gold Glove Award in his first season at the new position, Sandberg emerged with a breakout season in 1984, in which he batted .314 with 200 hits, 114 runs, 36 doubles, 19 homers and triples, and 84 RBI. He nearly became the first player to collect 20 doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in the same season (a feat which has yet to be accomplished), led the Cubs to the National League's Eastern Division title, and won Most Valuable Player honors.
Sandberg established himself as a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove candidate, making 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991. His career .989 fielding percentage is a major league record at second base.
In 1990, he led the National League in home runs – a rarity for a second baseman – with 40. Sandberg, Brady Anderson and Barry Bonds are the only players to have both a 40-homer (1990) and 50-steal (1985) season during their careers. Sandberg played a major league-record 123 straight games at second base without an error.
After struggling early in the season, Sandberg retired in 1994. While he had been a historically slow starter throughout his entire career, his 1994 start was slower than normal. Later, he admitted that he had been distracted at the time while going through a divorce. He came back for the 1996 and 1997 seasons, retiring permanently at the age of 37 with a career batting average of .285, and a record 277 home runs as a second baseman; this record was surpassed in 2004 by Jeff Kent.
His nephew Jared Sandberg was a third baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Since retiring, Sandberg has kept a low profile. In 2003 Sandberg accepted his first marketing deal since his retirement, agreeing to be spokesman for a Chicago bank. He also appeared on ESPN Radio 1000 as an analyst during the 2004 baseball season. He currently serves as a spring training instructor for the Cubs in Mesa, Arizona.
He is writing columns on baseball for Yahoo Sports for the 2005 season.
External links
- National Baseball Hall of Fame page (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers%5Fand%5Fhonorees/hofer%5Fbios/sandberg%5Fryne.htm)
- Template:Baseball-reference
- Sandberg @ Baseball Library.com (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sandberg_Ryne.stm)
- Ryno's page @ Baseball Almanac.com (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=sandbry01)
Categories: Baseball Hall of Fame | Chicagoans | People from Washington | Major league second basemen | 1959 births | 1984 National League All-Stars | 1985 National League All-Stars | 1986 National League All-Stars | 1987 National League All-Stars | 1988 National League All-Stars | 1989 National League All-Stars | 1990 National League All-Stars | 1991 National League All-Stars | 1992 National League All-Stars | 1993 National League All-Stars | Chicago Cubs players | Philadelphia Phillies players