Chicago, Wrigley Field – July 2025 — In the agonizing silence of Wrigley Field, as the letter was slowly read by Ryne Sandberg’s family to thousands of fans, something broke. Not because of the sound of the bat hitting the ball, but because the hearts of millions of people seemed to tighten together.
“I’ve lived my whole life in Cubs blue. Even though I’m from Spokane, I’ve fallen in love with the ivy and the afternoon sun pouring down on the North Stands in Chicago. If this is my last season, I just want to finish in that jersey. There’s nothing better.”
Such farewells, not from a player saying goodbye to his career — but from a man facing the final limit of his life.
After months of keeping it a secret, the family of 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner Ryne Sandberg has confirmed that he is battling the final stages of prostate cancer. Instead of making a big announcement, he quietly left a handwritten note as a final gift to the fans, to the team, and to the memory of Wrigley, the place he called “home.”
“I will not be able to see the Cubs win another championship. But if it happens after I’m gone, know that I will celebrate from the other side of the ivy.”
The note was placed in a prominent position in the press room under the bleachers, next to a faded Cubs cap. Current players from Nico Hoerner to Seiya Suzuki were moved, many of them unable to hold back their tears. One young player whispered, “We’re not just losing an icon. We’re saying goodbye to the soul of the team.”
Sandberg didn’t ask for any big ceremony. The only thing he left in his will was to see a new generation of Cubs — kids who have the same dream he had when he was 10: “Just a glove, a ball, and a porch big enough.”
His family said they would continue to establish a baseball scholarship fund called “Ryno’s Legacy” — so that his dream, his love of the Cubs and baseball, would never end.
If you ever stood in the sun at Wrigley, chanting “Let’s go, Ryne!”, believing that people like Sandberg were immortal — today, take a moment. To say thank you. And to whisper: “We will never forget you.”