Cubs icon, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg to be honored with prestigious award this fall

A few months after being honored with a statue outside Wrigley Field, legendary Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg will receive the Living Legend Award from the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Sandberg. “Throughout my career, both on and off the field, I’ve faced challenges that tested my resilience and strength, and to be honored by Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a true privilege.”

The award, which was established in 2007, "celebrates individuals whose contributions to baseball and society have attained legendary status, epitomizing the essence of talent, accomplishment, and personal integrity."

It's been a big year for Sandberg, who not only joined Cubs legends Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo as the only players with statues in Gallagher Way, but also came out on top in the biggest battle of his life, beating prostate cancer. This latest honor puts the finish touch on a year that he'll surely never forget.

For a generation of Cubs fans, Sandberg embodied everything wonderful and right about the team that calls the corner of Clark and Addison home. A 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glover and seven-time Silver Slugger, the Spokane, WA native was a cornerstone for the franchise for more than a decade-and-a-half. Of course, he's best known for putting his name on the map during a nationally broadcast game against the Cardinals, sparking a late-season run and his eventual crowning as the 1984 National League MVP.

According to a press release, attendees can purchase a special package that includes two tickets to the Nov. 15 event and a signed limited edition S333 Louisville Slugger bat in Cubs colors.