By Tom Harvey

Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts gives a statement on one of the team’s all-time fan favorite players, who passed away Monday at 65.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Ricketts said in a statement on behalf of his family and the club.

“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather. Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family. ‘Ryno’ will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”

COURTESY CHICAGO CUBS MEDIA RELATIONS