Chicago Cubs: 25 best all-time players in franchise history

Chicago Cubs Greatest All-Time Players: No. 4 – Ryne Sandberg

WAR: 61

If you’re one of those baseball aficionados who love a guy who did it all — Ryne Sandberg was undoubtedly one of them. He could field, run and hit — and left an indelible mark on the Chicago Cubs franchise.

In 1984, behind Sandberg, Chicago advanced to its first postseason since 1945. The second baseman, in just his third full big league campaign, led the league with 114 hits and 19 triples en route to NL MVP honors. He also brought home a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and All-Star nod that season.

That was just the beginning for Ryno on the North Side. He went on to make 10 All-Star teams, win seven Silver Sluggers and nine Gold Gloves. He spent his entire 16-year career — with the exception of 13 games — with the Cubs, becoming a fan favorite and stealing hearts while he did it.

Of course, he’s most remembered for the iconic ‘Sandberg Game’ that took place on June 23, 1984. In that nationally televised matchup against the rival Cardinals, the Chicago second baseman took future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter deep in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game.

St. Louis answered right back with two more runs in the tenth. But then, the impossible happened. Sandberg followed up his ninth-inning homer with a two-out, two-run blast – once again tying the game and setting the table for a walk-off win. From then on out, baseball fans across America knew his name.

Accomplishments & Awards

• NL MVP Winner (1984)
• Ten-time All-Star
• Nine-time Gold Glove Winner
• Seven-time Silver Slugger Winner