Column: Ryne Sandberg left a legacy at Wrigley Field — and the Chicago Cubs and their fans were better for it

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg waves before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for the Cubs home opener against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on April 4, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg sits in a dugout during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 16, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg arrives before the first day of full-squad workouts during Chicago Cubs spring training at Sloan Park on Feb. 14, 2025, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Former Cubs player Ryne Sandberg acknowledges fans as he is introduced during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on Jan. 17, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Former Cubs player Ryne Sandberg, center, stands next to Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts, left, and sports broadcaster Bob Costas, right, while attending a dedication ceremony for his statue outside Wrigley Field, June 23, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A statue of former Cubs player Ryne Sandberg sits in Gallagher Way during a dedication ceremony outside Wrigley Field, June 23, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Fans and Cubs players attend a statue dedication ceremony for former Cubs player Ryne Sandberg outside Wrigley Field, June 23, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs rookie second baseman Ryne Sandberg gloves catcher Butch Benton's throw after the Mets' Ron Gardenhire steals second in September 1982 at Wrigley Field. (Phil Mascione/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg slaps hands with third-base coach Don Zimmer after Sandberg's ninth-inning homer tied the score 9-9 on June 23, 1984, at Wrigley Field. An inning later, they met again when Sandberg hit a two-run shot to tie the score 11-11. The Cubs won 12-11. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

The Cubs' Ryne Sandberg watches his first-inning home run against the Dodgers on July 11, 1987, at Wrigley Field. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg sips Champagne in the locker room after beating Pittsburgh to clinch the National League East on Sept. 24, 1984. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Cubs Ryne Sandberg is greeted by ecstatic fans after the Cubs clinched the National League East Pennant by beating the Pirates in Pittsburgh 4-1 on Sept. 24, 1984. (AP)

Ryne Sandberg acknowledges the cheers after his three home runs lifted the NL over the AL at the All-Star Game home run competition on July 9, 1990. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg fans show support as the Cubs host the Phillies at Wrigley Field on Sept. 21, 1989. (Val Mazzenga/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg bats at Wrigley Field on May 17, 1996. (John Kringas/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg waits for his turn in the batting cage at Wrigley Field on April 8, 1990. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs Ryne Sandberg runs down Cincinnati's Billy Hatcher at Wrigley Field on Sept. 1, 1990. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg, with his wife, Cindy, signs autographs outside Wrigley Field on June 13, 1994, after he announced his retirement from baseball. He returned to play in 1996 and 1997. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg plays guitar with Dutchie Caray, Harry Caray's widow, with musicians from Plain White T's Tom Higgenson, second from left, and Dave Tirio at a playoff rally at Harry Caray's restaurant, Oct. 4, 2016. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg waves during Opening Day of the annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, Jan. 18, 2019. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs fans cheer for Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg after a visit to the mound at Wrigley Field on Aug. 30, 2013. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg manages the triple-A Iowa Cubs on July 20, 2010, in Des Moines. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg, clutching his Hall of Fame plaque, waves to the Cooperstown, New York, crowd on July 31, 2005. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

Ryne Sandberg's plaque at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on July 15, 2014. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs Ryne Sandberg hugs his daughter, Lindsey, 8, on Jan. 24, 1991, while on stage with Judy York. He was named the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Man of the Year. (John Bartley/Chicago Tribune)

Rookie prospect Ryne Sandberg of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Getty)