Chicago Cubs: Ryne Sandberg’s career; players embracing new coaches

As our Heroes of Wrigley Field series continues, next up we take a look at one of the best to play the second base position, Ryne Sandberg. We also take a look at how the players are embracing the new coaches, and what they have to offer.

When I saw that the next up in our Heroes of Wrigley Field was going to be former Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, I was excited. Growing up, he was by far my favorite Cub. Before every kid wanted to be a pitcher, shortstop or center fielder? I wanted to play second base.

Watching Sandberg, you would never mistake him for a Javier Baez. He didn’t often dive for a ball, but he got to almost every other one hit his way. And at the plate? He was an enigma. A power hitting second baseman when that wasn’t the norm. It wasn’t until Jeff Kent that Sandberg had held the top spot for many power numbers at second base. Sandberg was definitely one of my heroes.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

The changing of coaches has been an area of concern over the past few seasons for the Cubs. After ‘cleaning house’ the year before, the Cubs had to replace their hitting and pitching coaches gain heading into this season. Jim Hickey stepped down for personal reason, and Chili Davis was let go. But instead of looking at why things didn’t work out, we’re taking a look at how the players are embracing the new coaches, and how they can help in 2019.

The Cubs Convention comes to an end today, and for anyone who was able to attend, we hope you loved every minute of it. My co-expert was at the convention, so once he gets back, we’ll have more from what he experienced at the convention. Until then, 670 The Score had several interviews while there. One was with Ben Zobrist as he looks ahead to the 2019 season.

Cubs on Twitter

These and other stories from the weekend that you might have missed:

‘Heroes of Wrigley Field: Ryne Sandberg’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs embracing new coaches in 2019’ – Cubbies Crib

‘670 The Score with Ben Zobrist’ – 670 The Score Radio

‘Bryant ‘irked’ Harper, Machado unsigned’ – ESPN

We’ll have more today from the convention, as well as other stories from our Cubbies Crib staff. Also, I’ll have my first piece since returning from brain cancer (aside from these Morning Marquee’s), detailing what the battle has been like over my seven-month absence. Be sure to check back for all that and more!