Lesser known ballplayers who are relatives of Cubs greats

Chicago Cubs: Some people might recall some of these players, but they are not household names like their more well-known relatives.

Baseball history is full of obscure players, guys who had a short stint in the majors for various reasons. There really is only a handful of players who are regularly among the best, or at least solid, every generation.

Just getting even one shot in the major leagues is a big deal for any professional baseball player. According to Baseball America, only 17.6 percent of drafted players who signed from 1981-2010 ended up making it to the majors at some point. Think about how hard it is to get to the majors and how few of them become All-Star, MVP or even Hall of Fame players.

Looking at some obscure players from the past can be fun. Among some of these guys are relatives of all-time Chicago Cubs greats. This includes relatives of the likes of Ernie Banks, Johnny Evers, Ryne Sandberg and others. Some people might be aware of them, while others are not. Most of them had very brief playing careers in the majors, but some of them are still involved in the game.

Let’s take a look at some of these players.

Chicago Cubs: The former draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is related to arguably the greatest second baseman in Cubs history

Jared Sandberg is the nephew of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. The native of Olympia, Washington was drafted out of high school in the 16th round of the 1996 draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He made his MLB debut with the Devil Rays in 2001 at the age of 23.

From 2001 through 2003, Sandberg played in 196 games with Tampa Bay and slashed .221/.297/.406 with 25 home runs, 92 RBI and 87 OPS+. He primarily played third base and was a solid glove.

It’s worth noting he appeared in two games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs when the Devil Rays took them on in 2003, the same series in which the infamous Sammy Sosa corked bat incident took place. In fact, he came in to pinch-hit with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning of a 2-2 tie and eventually struck out against Mike Remlinger to end the Devil Rays threat.

2003 would end up being his final season in the majors. He bounced around the Nationals, Red Sox, Astros, Indians and Royals organizations through 2007. In 2015 he was hired to manage the Durham Bulls and since 2018 has worked as a coach with the Seattle Mariners.

Ryno’s nephew might not have lasted long as a player in the majors, but he did hit 18 home runs in 102 games in 2002. Seems like things are going pretty well for him today as he remains in the game.

Chicago Cubs: We go way back to look at these guys

Hall of Famer Johnny Evers was a key cog in the 1907-1908 World Series championship teams. He had two relatives who played professional baseball.

His brother, Joe, was 10 years younger than Johnny and he appeared in one MLB game in his entire life with the New York Giants at the age of 21. In 1913 he was a pinch-runner in a game against the Phillies on April 24. He never got to step to the plate or play in the field in the game. He played for a number of years in the minors but never made it back to the show.

Johnny and Joe’s uncle was Tom Evers, a professional ballplayer who played in one game with the American Association Baltimore Orioles in 1882 and 109 games with the Union Association Washington Nationals in 1884. He slashed .232/.244/.251 with the Nationals with no home runs and one triple. He did not play in either the National or American League. Evers played mainly second base, like his Hall of Fame nephew did for so many years in the majors.

Tom died in 1925 at the age of 72 and Joe died in 1949 at the age of 57.

Chicago Cubs: One of the modern day fan-favorites had an uncle who played eight years in the majors.

Leron Lee is the uncle of former Cubs All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee. A native of Bakersfield, California, the Grant Union HS outfielder was drafted seventh overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1966 draft.

He made his debut with the Cardinals in 1969 at age 21 late in the season and played in seven games. He played in 121 games with St. Louis in 1970 and in 1971 was traded to the San Diego Padres where he played until 1973. Worth noting in 1972 he was 0-for-3 at Wrigley Field on September 2 when Milt Pappas threw a no-hitter. Lee then spent his final three seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was 28 when played in his final game in 1976.

Lee was a career .250/.307/.375 hitter with 31 home runs, 152 RBI, 95 OPS + and 2.0 fWAR. After his MLB career concluded, he went overseas to play in Japan where he would have an incredibly successful career in the Japan Pacific League. He played with the Lotte Orions from 1977-1987. He slugged 283 home runs and slashed .320/.382.542 in 1,315 games in Japan and won the batting title in 1980.

After returning to the states, he was a coach with the Oakland A’s and won a ring in 1989. He is currently 73.

There are probably some others out there, but those are some notable Cub greats with other relatives who played professional baseball. Everyone in baseball has a story, and it is good to acknowledge their stories.