Ryne Sandberg: Did pass away| Health Update| Wife

Introduction

Ryne Sandberg — affectionately nicknamed “Ryno” — was a Hall of Fame second baseman who defined excellence during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs. Celebrated for his stellar performance on the field and admired for humility off it, Sandberg earned a lasting place in baseball history. In July 2025, Sandberg passed away after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer. This article provides a comprehensive overview of his health journey, final days, and the family who stood steadfast by his side.

1. Passing Away: What Happened?

• Ryne Sandberg passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 65. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, including his wife Margaret Sandberg, children, and grandchildren

• The Chicago Cubs and his family issued heartfelt announcements confirming his death and expressing gratitude to fans and the baseball community

2. Health Journey: From Diagnosis to Farewell

Early Diagnosis and Treatment

• In January 2024, Sandberg disclosed a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer The Sun+2ESPN.com+2Yahoo Sports+2.

• He underwent both chemotherapy and radiation. By August 2024, he announced a temporary remission, declaring that he had been cancer‑free CBSSports.com+2ESPN.com+2ABC7 Chicago+2.

Recurrence and Final Months

• In December 2024, Sandberg shared on social media that the cancer had returned and spread to other organs, a devastating setback Men’s Journal+15ESPN.com+15NBC Chicago+15.

• Even as treatment continued in mid‑2025, he remained publicly engaged, often expressing appreciation for the love and support he received InstagramThe Times of IndiaMen’s Journal.

The Nature of the Illness

• Metastatic prostate cancer, which spread beyond the prostate into places such as bone or lymph nodes, is often accompanied by symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty urinating. It remains challenging to manage even with aggressive therapy The Sun+1The Times of India+1.

3. Tributes & Legacy

Statements from Baseball’s Elite

• MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred lauded Sandberg as a five‑tool player whose character was matched only by his talent Instagram+15ESPN.com+15ABC7 Chicago+15.

• Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts reminisced about Sandberg’s integrity, spark, and the lasting impact he made on the franchise New York Post+12ABC7 Chicago+12ESPN.com+12.

From Fellow Players and Fans

• Former players such as Frank Thomas, Jim Palmer, and Chipper Jones offered personal reflections, calling Sandberg a “class act” and lamenting his loss as baseball lost one of its greats New York Post.

• Fans gathered at Wrigley Field, placing flowers by his statue and taking solace in memories of the iconic “Ryno Game” of 1984 New York Post+4ABC7 Chicago+4The Sun+4.

Honoring a Legend

• In 2024, Sandberg had been honored with a statue outside Wrigley Field marking the 40th anniversary of his legendary performance that summer night in 1984 The Sun+1MLB.com+1.

• For the remainder of the 2025 season, the Cubs wore a special jersey patch to commemorate his memoryInstagram+5NBC Chicago+5SoapCentral+5.

4. Wife & Family: Margaret’s Role and Legacy

Margaret Sandberg – His Rock

• Ryne married Margaret Koehnemann in 1995, after divorcing his first wife, Cindy White, with whom he had two children, Justin and Lindsey, from his earlier marriage Instagram+9SoapCentral+9Hindustan Times+9.

• Margaret brought three children into their blended family and shared a deep bond with Ryne, carrying out her role with humility and quiet strength The Times of India+7SoapCentral+7The Times of India+7.

Emotional Support During Illness

• Throughout the cancer journey, Sandy publicly referred to Margaret as “my rock”, praising her leadership, dedication, and unwavering care in his social media posts SoapCentral+1The Times of India+1.

• He credited her as the captain of his support team and acknowledged that her strength was foundational throughout the entire process SoapCentralThe Times of India.

The Wider Family

• Ryne and Margaret were survived by their children and numerous grandchildren; articles reference Justin and Lindsey as adult children and mention she had three children from her previous marriage Hindustan Times.

• Their family life in the Chicago suburb of Lake Bluff, Illinois, was known for prioritizing privacy, faith, and community engagement Hindustan Times.

5. Ryne Sandberg’s Career: A Lasting Legacy

On‑Field Achievements

• Debuting in 1981 with the Phillies before being traded to the Cubs in 1982, Ryne became a franchise cornerstone in Chicago. Over 15 seasons, he posted a .285 batting average, accumulated 282 home runs, 1,061 RBIs, and 344 stolen bases across more than 2,100 games CBS News+5CBSSports.com+5Reuters+5.

• Sandberg was selected for the All‑Star team ten times, won nine Gold Gloves, and was awarded seven Silver Slugger awards between the mid‑1980s and early ’90s ABC7 Chicago+7Reuters+7CBS News+7.

The Famous “Ryno Game” & MVP Season

• The iconic game on June 23, 1984, saw Sandberg hit two game‑tying home runs off Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter in extra innings, a performance now ingrained in Cubs lore CBSSports.com+1ABC7 Chicago+1.

• That same season he was named National League MVP, and played a leading role in helping Chicago reach the playoffs for the first time since 1945 CBS NewsCBSSports.comReuters.

Post‑Playing Career

• Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Cubs retired his jersey No. 23 that year The Telegraph+1ABC7 Chicago+1.

• Sandberg later worked as a minor‑league manager within the Cubs’ and Phillies’ systems, and served as the Phillies manager from 2013 to 2015 Hindustan Times+10CBS News+10MLB.com+10.

• In his later years he served as a Cubs ambassador and co‑founded Ryno Kid Care, a charity providing support to children facing serious health issues and their families The Telegraph+11CBSSports.com+11SoapCentral+11.

6. Health Awareness: What Is Metastatic Prostate Cancer?

• Unlike early-stage prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer involves cancer that has spread beyond the prostate, often to bones or lymph nodes, making it more severe and difficult to treat The Times of India.

• Symptoms may include persistent bone pain, weight loss, fatigue, and urinary issues. Risk increases significantly for men over 65, with family history, genetics, and ethnicity also playing roles The Times of India.

• Sandberg’s case underscores the seriousness of such a diagnosis and the critical importance of early detection and ongoing awareness.

7. Remembering Ryne Sandberg

• Ryne Sandberg was more than an MVP and a Hall of Famer. He was a symbol of professionalism, humility, and love—all qualities that earned him admiration on and off the field Yahoo Sports+15ESPN.com+15CBS News+15.

• His life story embraced both athletic greatness and human resilience. In his final chapter, his partnership with Margaret illustrated a devotion built on loyalty, care, and deep affection.

• The enduring legacy includes not only a statue at Wrigley Field, retired jersey, and Hall‑of‑Fame plaque—but the memory of a man who gave as much off the diamond as he did on it.

Summary at a Glance

Final Thoughts

Ryne Sandberg’s passing marks the end of an era. His life was defined by achievements in baseball and his unwavering character. Above all, the love and bond he shared with Margaret, as well as their blended family, exemplified grace under pressure. While his absence leaves a void in the hearts of Cubs fans and baseball believers everywhere, Sandberg’s legacy—as a player, a husband, a father, and a role model—will endure.