A personal story honoring Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, who has passed away at 65

In the recent homestand, Chicago Cubs legends paid homage to Ryne Sandberg, with former players like Jon Lester and Kerry Wood donning #23 jerseys at Wrigley Field - and on Monday night, the team announced the tragic passing of the Hall of Famer.

Sandberg, 65, had been battling cancer for years - and after it returned last winter, he announced that it had spread to other parts of his body. His last update came just weeks ago, and the entire fanbase united around him. It's an immeasurable loss for Cubs fans, the organization and baseball, as a whole, but I want to tell you a story about Ryno you won't hear anywhere else.

Ryne Sandberg always had time for Cubs fans who adored him

Last fall, Sandberg was named Louisville Slugger's Living Legend Award recipient - and was honored at an event at the batmaker's factory and museum in Louisville, KY. As part of that event, I got to deliver a speech introducing him to the standing room only crowd that had flocked from all parts of the country to meet the Hall of Famer.

I don't remember much of the speech. I have it on video, but more than six months later, I'm yet to watch it because, as a lifelong Cubs fan, I still don't know that it's even possible to deliver a speech worthy of such a player - such a person.

Prior to introducing him, I was able to meet him and his family in a private area, sitting down and talking with them all before the event. The man just emanated humility and appreciation - and that's a guy who had achieved just about all a ballplayer can achieve on a field: an MVP, 10-time All-Star, 9-time Gold Glover and 7-time Silver Slugger. But after all that, he was humble - and was clearly not taking a single day for granted.

It was an unforgettable night and, after giving my speech, I was seated next to his wife, Margaret, who was just as welcoming and thoughtful as Ryno was. If he had any skill that could measure up to his abilities as a ballplayer, it had to be story-telling - as he repeatedly went off-script to tell tales from his playing days, drawing multiple rounds of applause from the emotional crowd on hand.

Fans everywhere - not just in Chicago - will remember Ryno for the Sandberg Game, when he put his name - and the Cubs - in the national spotlight in 1984. But for me, I'll always look back on that fall night last year when I got to share a room, and some words with someone who - for many - defined what it meant to be a Cub. He'll be missed by all who knew him, watched him play and loved him.

Here's to a great player and an even better man.