Ryne Sandberg statue's sculptor calls him "a hero you wanted to meet" after Cubs legend's death
The sports world joined Cubs fans from around the globe on Tuesday to mourn baseball legend Ryne Sandberg, who passed away Monday at the age of 65, following a battle with prostate cancer.
People have gathered around Wrigley Field since his death was announced, leaving tributes to Sandberg at his statue on Gallagher Way.
Many fans felt compelled to come out to be with other Cubs' faithful as the news of Sandberg's passing spread.
"He did a lot for the people in Chicago, but you know, we all thank him for being a Cub and always remember to keep him in our heart and always remember Ryno, number 23," one Cubs fan said. "He's a good guy. He's, you know, he'll be missed."
The statue's sculptor, Lou Cella, stopped by with a single white rose and shared his feelings on what Sandberg meant to him.
"They say to people, 'Don't meet your heroes, they'll let you down.' They're going to hear people say that – and I can back it up – this was a hero you wanted to meet. This was the one that isn't going to let you down," he said.
Cella, who created all of the Cubs statues outside Wrigley Field, said he'll be eternally grateful to the Cubs for allowing him to sculpt Sandberg's statue, and letting him get to know a player whose career he followed from start to finish.
"It was personal before. It's a lot more personal now," he said. "I know what that's going to look like in a couple of days, with what people are going to put on it, and, I don't know, this one is always going to feel a little different."
Fans turn out to honor Sandberg at Wrigley Field
Meanwhile, Cubs fans and teammates alike paid their respects to Sandberg on Tuesday. Many turned out at Wrigley Field to pay their tribute.
"You know, you feel compelled in a moment like this to go pay tribute to somebody who grew up respecting," said Michael Mitchell.
Arriving at Gallagher Way alongside Wrigley Field Tuesday, Mitchell was a man on a mission to memorialize a legend. To Mitchell, Sandberg was more than a Hall-of-Fame second baseman.
"He could have got up and he could have had a statue of him swinging, but he said, 'I'm going to have the statue of me in the defensive stance with the flip-up shades to show that I'm always ready,'" Mitchell said. "Maybe not the most glamorous pose for a statue for all time, but for him, it meant doing the right things day in and day out."
Mitchell placed a photo of himself with Sandberg next to the Sandberg statue in the middle of the growing memorial outside Wrigley Field.
"Just meant a lot. Just meant a lot to me," Mitchell said. "Great guy. Always had a smile."
Sandberg was an All-Star player for the cubs for 10 consecutive seasons. He won nine straight Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers, and was the 1984 National League MVP.
Sandberg played 15 seasons with the Cubs altogether. He was remembered not only for his stats, but for the energy he brough to the Friendly Confines.
"He was the reason I started watching Chicago Cubs baseball. We did it as a family. We all just loved watching him play," said Mary Wethington.
"We lost a legend, a class act yesterday, and we're all hurting today," said Jessie Lenth.
Fans noted that Sandberg treated his team and his fans like family. That went for his successors on Cubs teams too, such as the team that won the 2016 World Series many years after Sandberg retired.
"He was always there for the guys during the team in '16, and being a presence in the locker room, he gave that aura for family, and just a shoulder to lean on when you need it," said Michael Zielinski.
Cubs past and present pay tribute
Starting with the Cubs' game against the Brewers in Milwaukee Tuesday night, and for the remainder of the 2025 baseballs season, the Cubs will commemorate Sandberg with a patch with his jersey number 23 and signature.
The fact that Sandberg came to Cubs spring training back in February while undergoing chemotherapy treatments after his prostate cancer returned and spread was a testament to his toughness and immense love for the Cubs.
It was a sight to see in Mesa, Arizona, back in February when Sandberg was joined by his former teammate s — Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston, Rick Sutcliffe, and fellow MVP Fergie Jenkins.
MLB Network spoke to an emotional Dunston Tuesday about his final conversations with his double-play partner.
"During the last days, you know, we as men don't know how to express our feelings to each other. You know, men don't know how to say we love each other. So it's kind of touching, you know, last couple of days, I spoke with him — me, Andre [Dawson], and Ryne spoke on the phone — and he wanted to speak to me and Andre, and he told us that he loved us," said Dunston, "and that means more than being his teammate."
Dunston wanted everyone to know that Sandberg loved all the Cubs' fans too.
The Cubs wore "Forever 23" T-shirts during their pregame warm-up in Milwaukee Wednesday evening in Sandberg's honor. The Hall of Fame player, and the person, had a clear impact as an MVP mentor to the current Cubs.
"I think everyone knows the accolades as a player, and it's easier to reflect on that, but just the human himself, the love that he had for everyone and the care that he had for everyone was pretty special," said Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.
The Brewers held a moment of silence for Sandberg as they took on the Cubs at American Family Field Tuesday night. The White Sox also held a moment of silence for Sandberg before their game with the Philadelphia Phillies.
