[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S5201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING RYNE ``RYNO'' SANDBERG

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, outside Wrigley Field in Chicago, there 
are statues of Chicago Cubs Hall of Famers and legends. Cast in bronze, 
these five men--including Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, 
and Ron Santo--each made a historic impact on the team, the city of 
Chicago, and Major League Baseball. The newest statue is one of Ryne 
Sandberg. For so many of us, ``Ryno'' was the face of the team, an 
ambassador for the best parts of baseball. His talent was only matched 
by the kindness he showed off the field. So it is with great sadness 
that I share the news of his passing.
  Ryne was destined to be a ballplayer when he was born in Spokane, WA. 
His parents named him after the New York Yankees pitcher Ryne Duren. 
And as a child, Ryne would play ball for hours with nothing but an old 
bat and a plastic golf ball. By high school, he had already caught the 
eye of scouts from the big leagues. While he made his debut with the 
Philadelphia Phillies, he did not find his true home until he joined 
the Cubs in 1982.
  Ryne saw success from the moment he joined the team. By the end of 
his first season, he was one of the top-rated rookies in the Nation. In 
1983, the Cubs moved him to second base, and that year, he won his 
first Golden Glove Award. But it was in 1984 when the name Ryne 
Sandberg was cemented in Cubs history. That year, Ryne led the Cubs to 
their first postseason in 39 years by winning the NL East, where he 
also earned the NL Most Valuable Player.
  Ryne had a way of playing that could make anyone fall in love with 
baseball, and this was on full display during the 1984 season. I was 
there, in the stands of Wrigley, when Ryne played what is now known as 
``The Sandberg Game.'' I will never forget the roar of the crowd and 
the crack of the bat when he hit a home run at the bottom of the 10th, 
tying the game. That was one of the best ballgames I have ever seen. 
Ryne's talent, hustle, and drive were on full display that day, and he 
made fans believe in the impossible as the Cubs came back from a six-
run deficit.
  Ryne's success in 1984 was just the beginning of a dominant career. 
By the time he retired in 1997 after 16 seasons, he had been named to 
10 All-Star Games, won nine Gold Gloves, and seven Silver Slugger 
Awards. Not many ballplayers have the same level of success at bat as 
they have in the field, but Ryne excelled at it all.
  If there was one word to describe Ryne's approach to baseball, it 
would be respect. Ryne was someone who was just as proud to get a man 
on third as he was hitting a flashy home run. He trained hard, kept his 
head down, and led by example. Ryne did not play baseball because he 
wanted fame or money; he played because he loved the sport.
  It was no surprise when Ryne was inducted into the National Baseball 
Hall of Fame in 2005. It was a proper recognition of his talent and the 
impact he had on baseball. When remembering Ryne, I think back to 
something he said in his speech that day. In an era where baseball was 
facing serious scandals around steroid use, Ryne said, ``I didn't play 
the game right because I saw a reward . . . I played it right because 
that's what you're supposed to do.'' Even when celebrating his life of 
accomplishments, Ryne still took the time to try and make baseball 
better. He had that much respect for the game.
  I had the pleasure of meeting Ryne, and in meeting him, it quickly 
became clear to me why he was loved by so many. Ryne was someone who 
would ask questions about your children and where you were from. He 
would offer to take a photo with you before you could even ask. He was 
a natural ambassador for the Cubs, even before he was officially 
offered that role in 2016. Ryne was always ready to give more to a team 
that he had raised to greatness. Cubs fans and all who love the sport 
will never forget his contributions.
  I could not think of a better way to honor Ryne than today's 
announcement that the All-Star Game is coming back to Wrigley Field for 
the first time since Ryne won the 1990 Home Run Derby. I hope that as 
tens of thousands of baseball fans visit the Friendly Confines, in for 
the 2027 MLB All-Star Game, that they see Ryne's statue and reflect on 
what he brought to baseball and the legacy he left behind.
  Despite all of Ryne's accomplishments in baseball, he always 
maintained that the best thing to ever happen to him was marrying his 
wife Margaret and being a father to his five children. Loretta and I 
send our deepest condolences to Margaret, Justin, Lindsey, Steven, BR, 
and Adriane, and his 11 grandchildren on their tremendous loss.
  Ryno represented the best of the game. He reminded us, both on and 
off the field, why we love baseball. While we will miss him, he will 
live on with the legends on Gallagher Way and forever in our hearts as 
No. 23.

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