Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg revealed on Monday that he is facing prostate cancer.
The former Chicago Cubs great shared on his Instagram page that he recently found out about his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis and has already started treatment.
He stated, "We will keep a positive and strong attitude as we work to overcome this." Sandberg He wrote in his post. "Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family."
A bronze statue of Sandberg, 64, will be unveiled in Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field on June 23, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of his legendary “Sandberg Game” against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Wrigleyville company Obvious Shirts is planning to create a T-shirt in honor of Sandberg’s cancer battle with 100% of sales donated to a charity of Sandberg’s choice, which is still being finalized.
A recipient of nine Gold Glove and seven Silver Slugger awards, as well as the 1984 National League MVP award, Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and had his No. 23 retired by the Cubs the same year.
He spent four seasons (2007-10) managing in the Cubs farm system before departing the organization and joining the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him in the 20th round in 1978, to manage their Triple-A affiliate in 2011. Following a promotion to the big-league coaching staff in 2012, Sandberg became the Phillies interim manager in August 2013. One month later, he had the interim title removed.
Sandberg returned to the Cubs in an ambassador role in 2016 after he resigned as Phillies manager in June 2015.
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