Favorite Sandberg memories

[TB_11]

With Ryne getting inducted into the Hall, I thought it might be fun to share your favorite Sandberg memories.

 

Mine is a weird one. In 1990 when he was gunning for the league lead in home runs, and I caught a day game during summer vacation (the joys of being eight). Sandberg hit two home runs, the second curving around the left field fair pole and originally being called foul before being overturned. I remember Harry saying something along the lines of 'I can tell that's fair and I'm an old man!'

 

He was and still is hands down my favorite player ever, and I couldn't be happier that he's heading to Cooperstown.

[wekse]

first baseball game ever attended, cards-cubs at busch stadium...cubs down 2-1...Sandberg hits a screamer off the foul pole for a 2 run shot....i never loved the guy more than i did at that point in my life.

[Cubzfan64]

You know what's the funny thing about this question to me???

 

Ryno was just a "come out and do the job the best way you can" type of player - he wasn't often flashy, didn't play the part of the hero very well, was softspoken etc...

 

I know it sounds a little odd, but there's so many things I remember him for, but at the same time there are so few "specific" things I remember him for - does that make sense??

 

Here are a few of mine - I'm sure they are odd ones to some people:

 

1. I remember when Ivan DeJesus was traded to Philly for Larry Bowa and a young kid named Ryne Sandberg - DeJesus was always one of my favorites and I remember being really disappointed to see him go.

 

2. I remember Ryno going hitless playing 3B for the Cubs his first season game after game in the beginning of the year and I remember hearing people tell the fans to "be patient" with him and how the manager at the time (who was that?) kept him in there to work through his struggles.

 

3. Of course I remember the "Sandberg vs. Sutter" game in Chicago.

 

4. I remember his errorless streak at 2B and I remember when it ended.

 

5. last of all I just have a mental picture in my mind of him in his stance at 2B as well as his batting stance and how I was always surprised that he could generate as much power as he did.

[TB_11]

You know what's the funny thing about this question to me???

 

Ryno was just a "come out and do the job the best way you can" type of player - he wasn't often flashy, didn't play the part of the hero very well, was softspoken etc...

 

I know it sounds a little odd, but there's so many things I remember him for, but at the same time there are so few "specific" things I remember him for - does that make sense??

 

Complete sense. My favorite memory is the one I listed above - but the one that stands out the most is how every baseball coach I had from t-ball through high school used to say we should play like Sandberg - fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals.

[fiver]

Unfortunately, I was only able to attend one game in which Sandberg played. It was in 1992 against the New York Mets. Greg Maddux pitched a complete game four hitter, allowed one run, and struck out 10. Dawson homered and Derrick May had three hits. Sandberg didn't do anything spectacular in this game, but he was absolutely my favorite player at the time. I have quite a few pictures of that game somewhere. We sat on the first base side fairly close to the field so we were pretty close to Grace and Ryno. The Cubs won the game, and Maddux went on to win the Cy Young, and then subsequently leave for ATL.

 

Ryno managed to only go 1-4, but he hit a double...didn't score. Still it was the only time I saw my favorite baseball player as a kid play in person. It's a lasting memory.

[BigbadB]

My favorite Ryne story is when he pushed Rick Monday out of the way to save the US flag from being burned by two White Sox fans who snuck into Wrigley Field. :D

 

Actually, my favorite memory (ridiculous as it may sound) is watching him in his first few weeks as a Cub where he went like 0-30, but Cub management stuck with him and he matured from pathetic into a star overnight.

[J.R.]

First and last times I saw him play.

[sandberg23]

My favorite memory was getting to meet him and take a picture with him. Nothing he did on the field will ever eclispe the moment I spent with him off the field.

 

Great ballplayer. Better person.

[NorthsideAvenger]

My favorite memory was getting to meet him and take a picture with him. Nothing he did on the field will ever eclispe the moment I spent with him off the field.

 

Great ballplayer. Better person.

 

My favorite moments of Sandberg was when there was a guy on first with 1 (or no outs) and slow grounder hit to him. Watching him make the pivot to throw to second, and then watching Dunston load up his cannon for the throw to first. Everytime the Cubs completed a 4-6-3 double play, it would bring :D to my face. They say that Trammell/Whitaker was the best DP combo of the 80's, but Sandberg/Dunston definately RIVALED them.

[Iceblink]

The Sandberg/Sutter game is being broadcast on WGN soon - Monday night, I think.

[Larry Horse]

The Sandberg/Sutter game is being broadcast on WGN soon - Monday night, I think.

 

It's on Comcast right now, and listening to Costas and Kubek makes me realize what hacks are on Fox.

[GaryWoods]

In 1990 when he was gunning for the league lead in home runs, and I caught a day game during summer vacation (the joys of being eight).

 

They let eight-year-olds play major league baseball back then? :lol: