Rest in peace to a Cubs legend, Ryne Sandberg

LGBTQ MLB hero Billy Bean with Ryne Sandberg. Photo: Arturo Pardavila via Wikimedia Commons.

Tonight, we mourn the passing of Ryne Sandberg after losing a battle with cancer.

The Hall of Fame second baseman, beloved Chicago Cubs icon, was a man whose quiet dignity left an enduring mark not only on baseball but on the hearts of generations of fans.

At Edgewater Presbyterian Church, we remember Ryne not just for his legendary career, his Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, and All-Star moments. We also remember him for the kind of example he set.

In an era often defined by ego and flash, Ryne led with humility, discipline, and grace.

He once said, “In baseball, there’s always tomorrow,” a reminder that even in life’s losses, there is promise in each new day.

It’s a sentiment that echoes deeply with the hope we find in Christ.

Ryne played the game with heart.

He stayed loyal to the Cubs through seasons of struggle and joy alike. In that way, he mirrored the life of faith, remaining rooted, persevering, and faithful even when the outcome was uncertain.

For many of us in Chicago, and especially those in our Edgewater neighborhood, Wrigley Field is more than a ballpark. It’s a place of memory, tradition, and community.

Ryne helped build that sacred feeling for generations of fans. His number 23 will forever be etched into the ivy-laced history of our city.

We pray for Ryne’s family, loved ones, and the entire Cubs community. We give thanks for the ways his life touched so many.

May he rest in God’s eternal embrace, and may we continue to live with the same quiet integrity that defined his remarkable life, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”