Ryne Sandberg’s Legacy: From Spokane to Chicago

Major League Baseball suffered a blow this week after Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg passed away at age 65 on July 28.

Sandberg was a Hall of Famer, the 1984 National League MVP, a 10x All-Star, 9x Gold Glover, a 7x Silver Slugger winner and the 1980 Home Run Derby champion.

The Cubs icon spent 15 seasons in Chicago and one in Philadelphia to begin his career.

Early Life in Spokane

Before all the accolades, Sandberg got his life and baseball career, just 93 miles from the Western Montana border and 197 miles from Missoula.

Sandberg hailed from Spokane, Washington.

Born in 1959, Sandberg would go on to play baseball at North Central High School, where the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him.

The city of Spokane is remembering the baseball legend this week, as government buildings are flying flags at half-staff, according to KXLY TV.

"Sandberg's career began at North Central High School, where he was a decorated 3-sport athlete... For many in Spokane, he was a hometown hero, putting our city on the national baseball stage. " - KXLY TV's Kris Crocker

Sandberg rests in the dugout in May 1997 in a game between the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Jed Jacoboshn (Getty Images)

Sandberg had the benefit of playing for the Cubs in the 80s and 90s when WGN broadcast Cubbies baseball. WGN broadcast nationwide, making a lot of folks in states without baseball, like Montana, Cubs fans.

Rest in peace to an absolute legend.