Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg announced Tuesday that his cancer has relapsed and spread to other organs, forcing him to undergo more intensive treatment.
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"Unfortunately, we recently learned the cancer has relapsed and it has spread to other organs," Sandberg said in an emotional social media statement. "This means that I'm back to more intensive treatment. We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for me and my family."
Sandberg, 65, was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2023 and had declared himself cancer-free in August after months of treatment. However, this latest development marks a significant setback in his recovery.
The Chicago Cubs legend played 16 seasons with the team after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982. Sandberg won the National League MVP in 1984, a year in which he posted a .314 batting average, 19 home runs, 19 triples, and 32 stolen bases. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and remains one of the most revered figures in Cubs history.
After his cancer remission announcement last year, the Cubs honored Sandberg with a statue outside Wrigley Field, where he remains a prominent ambassador and analyst for the team.
"Ryne is an inspiration to cancer survivors everywhere," Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said in a statement. "I know all Cubs fans join my family and me in sending positive thoughts to Ryne and keeping him and his family in our prayers as he faces this next round of treatments to defeat cancer. Ryne has the heart and soul of a champion and that will serve him well in this challenge."
