Chicago Cubs Legendary Hall of Famer Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Some terrible news was announced by one of the Chicago Cubs' all-time great players.

It's hard to look at some of the greatest athletes of all time as mortal.

They're heroes, role models and larger than life to many people and in many instances.

However, the reality of life sets in that couldn't be more clear after Chicago Cubs' legend, Ryne Sandberg, announced that he has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that he has begun treatment for.

This heartbreaking news comes on the heels of Cubs' chairman Tom Ricketts saying Sandberg will get a statue of himself outside of Wrigley Field.

"Ryno" was one of the most important players in team history when he played and continued to be involved in the franchise after his retirement, serving as the team's goodwill ambassador.

We're with you, Ryno. 💙 pic.twitter.com/JmJLoXTTl1

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) January 22, 2024

His tenure in Chicago began in 1982 when they sent Ivan DeJesus to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Sandberg and Larry Bowa.

He finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting that year, but 1983 was when his Hall of Fame career started to take shape.

That season started a streak of nine-straight Gold Glove awards. The next year he was selected to his first All-Star Game and had a streak of 10-straight selections that ended in 1993.

He won National League MVP in 1984 and finished his career with nine Gold Glove awards and seven Silver Slugger awards.

Sandberg decided to retire following the 1997 season and finished with the most home runs hit by a second baseman at the time (277).

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005 and became the fourth Cubs player ever to have his jersey number retired.

Following his playing career, Sandberg stayed in the organization, becoming a manager in their farm system.

"Ryno" worked his way up through the ranks after starting at Single-A in 2006, winning Pacific League Manager of the Year with their Triple-A affiliate in 2010.

Despite him wanting to be the manager of Chicago one day, he left the organization after he wasn't given the job following Lou Piniella's retirement and went back to the Phillies as their Triple-A manager.

Sandberg eventually got his shot to be a manager in the big leagues, replacing Charlie Manuel in 2013.

He held that position from then until 2015, accumulating a record of 119-159, before resigning as Philadelphia sat in last place of their division and had the worst record in baseball.

Sandberg returned to the Cubs in his ambassador role, making public appearances for the team.

He has asked that people keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers as he battles this diagnosis.

Get better soon "Ryno."