'Gracious, humble' | Baseball legend Ryne Sandberg remembered by Louisville Slugger Museum | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When Ryne Sandberg visited the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory last fall, he said the experience was "right up there with the Hall of Fame, for me."

Sandberg, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and iconic former second baseman for the Chicago Cubs, died Monday in Chicago after battling prostate cancer. He was 65.

Sandberg had been in Louisville in November 2024 to accept the museum's Living Legend Award for his achievements on and off the diamond. He toured the Main Street complex with his family.

"He was just a gracious, gracious, humble individual," said Andrew Soliday, the museum's marketing director.

During that visit, Soliday said Sandberg enjoyed spending time not only with his family but Louisville Slugger employees as well.

"That's really what it's all about for us for a 'Living Legend' — recognizing that player on and off the field. He was just a really, really outstanding guy," Soliday said.

On Tuesday, the museum showcased several of Sandberg's bats in its bat vault, along with his 1982 contract with the company.

The Louisville ceremony came about a month before Sandberg announced that his prostate cancer had relapsed and spread.

Sandberg played 16 seasons in the major leagues, establishing himself as a power-hitting, smooth-fielding second baseman. He won the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player and retired as the all-time leader in home runs at his position.

He retired after the 1997 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

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