Cubs Fans Says Goodbye To Ryne Chicago Honors Spokane Native In Wrigley Ceremony

Ryne Sandberg bid an emotional farewell Saturday, saying goodbye to the Chicago Cubs fans and thanking the team for being able to play on his “field of dreams.”

The Spokane native, who turned 38 Thursday, will retire at the end of this season, his 15th, to spend more time with his family.

“He gave us 15 of the greatest years any ballplayer could possibly give this town,” said longtime Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.

Sandberg walked onto the field for pregame ceremonies with his wife, Margaret, and their five children to a trumpet fanfare and a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field crowd.

Mayor Richard M. Daley issued a proclamation, declaring Sept. 20, 1997, as Ryne Sandberg Day in Chicago.

Andy MacPhail, Cubs CEO and president, said Sandberg “redefined offensive standards” for second baseman and welcomed the fans to come back in five years when Sandberg will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Cubs presented Sandberg with an authentic bleacher seat from Wrigley Field, a painting of the ballpark and his number “23” from the scoreboard.

Sandberg’s teammates presented Sandberg and Margaret each a pair of crutches as a joke - their real gift was a five-night ski trip to Vail, Colo. The team also presented Sandberg with a fire engine red Corvette.

The sun came out on the blustery, cool day just as Sandberg stepped to the microphone. He thanked his family and former Cubs general manager Dallas Green and manager Jim Frey for “believing in me.”

“There have been good times and tough times, the wind blowing in and the wind blowing out, great games and heart-breaking games,” Sandberg said. “The one constant over the years has been the Chicago Cubs fans and the way you’ve always treated Ryne Sandberg.

“You’ve watched me play the game I love and supported me,” he said. “In return, I hope I have provided you with enjoyment over the years and only wish we could’ve shared a World Series together.

“I’ve truly enjoyed my field of dreams here at Wrigley Field,” he said.

Then the Sandbergs walked around the field together, waving to the fans.

“You’re losing a class guy,” Cubs manager Jim Riggleman said. “The quality of the game goes down a little bit and you hope the players coming in, the (Doug) Glanvilles, the (Kevin) Ories, the (Nomar) Garciaparras, that they carry the torch.

“The game will be in good shape if players conduct themselves like Sandberg and Tony Gwynn and Andre Dawson,” Riggleman said.

Sandberg joined the Cubs in 1982 when the Phillies, who drafted Sandberg out of Spokane’s North Central High School in 1978, traded him to Chicago with shortstop Larry Bowa for shortstop Ivan DeJesus. The 1984 National League MVP, Sandberg won nine Gold Gloves and was named to the N.L. All-Star team 10 times.

This season, he set the record for most home runs by a second baseman when he hit his 267th on April 26. Joe Morgan held the old mark of 266 home runs.

Sandberg voluntarily retired on June 13, 1994, for personal reasons but returned to the Cubs for the 1996 season. He announced his retirement this year on Aug. 2, and since then has batted .327 with seven homers and 23 RBIs.