Tribute to Ryne Sandberg

Growing up in Chicago, a Cubs fan, and lover of baseball in the 1980s, Ryne Sandberg was obviously a childhood hero to me.

Ten years ago, I wrote the below for a prior blog of mine, which I have kept in my archives since. This is not the 100% original as I have modified it ever so slightly. Ryno was the Phillies manager at the time. I have re-published it now, in his memory.

They called him Kid Natural
His swing commanded the home run
And with Gold Glove so magical
Second Base, but second to none

Sandberg, persona of his Cub teams
Young MVP in ‘84
Propelling our World Series dreams
Through Ryno, Cub fandom soared

Hall of Fame bound was #23
With play and character beyond reproach
Loyal Wrigley still cheers its adoptee
Even when he was Phillies coach

At Cooperstown Ryno will always beam
May Cub optimism reign supreme

Featured image: Sandberg’s plaque in Cooperstown, NY. Photo take by me in 2013.