DES MOINES, Iowa — The Chicago Cubs’ Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg died at the age of 65 on Monday, after his battle with prostate cancer.

He’s most remembered for his 15 seasons with the Cubs and his breakout season in 1984, earning National League MVP, but he’s also remembered here in Iowa for his time with the Iowa Cubs. He was the manager in 2010. 

Before the game Tuesday at Principal Park, the ICubs had a moment of silence honoring Sandberg. They also have photo and video memories of him on the big screen all week long at games. The grounds crew painted the number “23” on the field as well. 

“My heart hurts. It’s the epitome of baseball is Ryne Sandberg. You know, he was everything on the field. He was everything off the field. He was so important to the fans. He was so important to his teammates. He was important to us as administrators and baseball businesspeople. The year we got to spend with him here was so special,” Iowa Cubs President/General Manager Sam Bernabe said. “He taught everybody a lot of things. And in one baseball season, whether it was the shortstop that was playing for us or whether it was the general manager of the team, who happened to be me at the time, what a special opportunity to learn from a guy like Ryne Sandberg.”

In 2010, Sandberg led the ICubs to an 82-62 record and was named the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year.

Iowans remember him as a 10x All-Star, 9x Gold Glove award winner, and as a retired #23 with the Cubs. But folks in Des Moines also remember him off the field.  He’d walk to work at Principal Park from his downtown apartment; he’d always stop to sign autographs and was charitable around the city with his wife.

“He was more approachable than many of the players who are still working to achieve even the first level of what he did,” Randy Wehofer, Iowa Cubs VP/Assistant General Manager, said. “He is a face for multiple generations of Cubs fandom.”

Sandberg also went on to be the Phillies manager for a couple of years after he left Iowa, but he’ll always be remembered for being one of the best second basemen the game has seen.

“He was Superman. He did super things everywhere,” Bernabe said. “It’s amazing to me the number of people that I know that either have a son or a grandson named Ryne. And it’s very critical to understand that it’s Ryne and not Ryan. I mean, what an honor.”