Sandberg had right stuff early

Growing up in Spokane and living on the North Side, I had the opportunity to watch Ryne Sandberg play sports through junior high and high school while I attended Salk Junior High and Shadle Park High. Even in junior high, Ryne was a star. He was quiet and showed his stuff on the football field, basketball court and the baseball diamond. In ninth grade, it was evident he was one of the future stars at NC. Always on the ball, solid with the glove and quick with his feet. Still quiet.

In high school at Albi on Friday nights, his quick feet and the option proved to be a factor that made him a great quarterback – not to mention some receivers with some great hands. In the old Boone Street Barn, he was just as good on the hardwood. Baseball was where Ryne was as solid as the big rock at NC. Watching him playing there with the old school looking at you in left field is memorable for me some 25 years later. He had a glove like a magnet and an arm like a cannon. His bat was just as amazing. The short left-field porch was one I saw him reach many a time. Still quiet.

Ryne is a tribute to his tenacity for hard work and his determination to be better the next day he stepped on the field. A class act the whole way.

It would be nice to see him come back and hold some baseball clinics and teach other young Spokane kids how to be good solid athletes and community members. Don’t forget where you came from, Ryne. Bring it back home where it all started and help build Spokane back into a baseball powerhouse, with kids learning that hard work really does pay off. I know there are many in Spokane who will step up to help you get it done. Congrats.

Jeff Sayre

Lewiston