The Rundown: Sandberg Changed Franchise, Brewers Take NL Central Lead, Trade Market Moving Slowly
Surreal day yesterday and it’s tough to put pen to paper this morning for a lot of us. I’ve read all the accolades regarding Ryne Sandberg, who passed away shortly before yesterday’s Cubs-Brewers game, but one keeps coming back to me, and I’ll word it as best I can.
Wrigley Field was a shell of what it is today before Sandberg. We’ve lamented the 108-year MLB championship drought, or the seven decades that passed by between league championships, but the Cubs organization was in dire straits once the 1969 squad was finally deconstructed. Chicago’s North Side Baseballers lacked star power for over a decade until the Wrigley family sold the team to the Tribune Company in 1981 for $20.5 million. Sandberg arrived with Larry Bowa a year later in a trade that sent Iván de Jesús to the Phillies. The Cubs returned to the NLCS for the first time since 1945 two years later, led by Sandberg and Rick Sutcliffe.
That ’84 team is my favorite of all-time, but I was never fixated on one player. Sandberg and Sutcliffe returned the star power to the organization, but I loved that entire team. On any given day I might have told you that Keith Moreland, Ron Cey, Gary Matthews, Jody Davis, Dennis Eckersley, or Lee Smith were my favorites. The Cubs were 34-25 when Sutcliffe arrived in a trade with Cleveland, and “The Sandberg Game” came 10 days later.
“The Sandberg game”. RIP Ryno pic.twitter.com/9A3OCdRZlI
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) July 29, 2025
June 23, 1984 is the day that the Cubs became the franchise we now know and love. It’s biblical in Chicago sports lore because of Sandberg vs. Bruce Sutter — not once, but twice — the pandemonium that ensued, and the team’s trajectory that followed. Scientists refer to the Big Bang theory as a cosmological event that explains the evolution of the observable universe. Sandberg didn’t just lead the Cubs to the 1984 NLCS, he led the franchise to where it is today. It wasn’t just the explosion of ball on Ryno’s bat that day that matters, but the expansion of the franchise that followed. For that, we are forever grateful, and will always cherish No. 23.
Cubs News & Notes
- If you have yet to read Evan Altman’s glowing eulogy of Sandberg, stop reading this, and head over to it right now.
- Sandberg spent 15 seasons with the Cubs and became one of the storied franchise’s icons. He amassed a .285 batting average, 2,386 hits and 282 home runs in his 16-year career, in addition to the 1984 National League MVP award, 10 All-Star appearances, nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers.
- He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
- Current Cubs players remember Sandberg as the very definition of what it means to play for the organization.
- Thousands of fans have gathered at Sandberg’s statue outside Wrigley Field to honor the late second baseman.
- There are still baseball matters to report, and the most positive news of the day, for the organization at least, is that Jed Hoyer agreed to a contract extension. The Cubs timed the announcement well knowing Sandberg’s status at the time.
- Not that it matters, but the Brewers beat the Cubs 8-4 yesterday. I have a quick synopsis: Chicago had Jacob Misiorowski on the ropes in the first inning before the rookie recomposed himself. The Cubs were one hit from chasing Misiorowski, but Nico Hoerner struck out swinging in a 10-pitch at-bat to end the inning.
- Matthew Boyd had a rare bad outing in yesterday’s loss.
- The Brewers burned through seven relievers if you’re looking for a positive.
- I was unaware that Sandberg had passed until about 15 minutes after the game. Milwaukee’s announcers made no mention of it until their postgame show. They did honor the Hall of Fame second baseman appropriately at that time.
- I’ve decided I have a tremendous professional dislike for Pat Murphy, and it’s fair to say Milwaukee has surpassed St. Louis as Chicago’s biggest rival, at least in my eyes.
- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel launched its Brewers’ magic number countdown today. That’s precious.
Ball Four
“Make a great play, act like you’ve done it before. Hit a home run, put your head down, drop the bat, and run the bases.”
ESPN's tribute to Ryne Sandberg pic.twitter.com/uGhCMkGeoo
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 29, 2025
Central Intelligence
- Milwaukee (63-43): The Rays and Brewers agreed on a trade that will send catcher Danny Jansen to Milwaukee for infield prospect Jadher Areinamo.
- Cincinnati (56-51): The Reds are in the market for relievers and have been scouting the Rays, who could make Pete Fairbanks available.
- St. Louis (55-53): Nolan Arenado rumors have been picking up some unexpected steam. The Astros need a replacement for Isaac Parades, and a handful of teams, including the Mets and Tigers, are seeking offensive upgrades.
- Pittsburgh (45-62): Given the team’s dubious trade history with the Cubs (see Aramis Ramírez), many Pirates fans fear Hoyer may rip Pittsburgh off in a trade for Mitch Keller and/or David Bednar. I’m convinced Paul Skenes would be a Cub today if David Littlefield was still running the Pirates.
How About That!
The Yankees are emerging as the frontrunners to acquire Dustin May in a trade with the Dodgers.
New York traded Carlos Carrasco to the pitching-strapped Braves for cash or a PTBNL. I smell a Chris Sale trade on the horizon. Atlanta needs a reset.
The Yankees’ newest trade target is closer Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals.
The Tigers traded for Twins right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak.
Detroit is also interested in Merrill Kelly, but bullpen help is a bigger priority.
The Blue Jays are exploring the market for a swingman-type pitcher. Adrian Houser or Michael Soroka are at the top of Toronto’s list.
Bo Bichette broke a Toronto team record with hits in nine consecutive at-bats.
The Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies and Mariners are still trying to convince the Twins to trade Joe Ryan.
The Brewers are among the teams that have shown interest in Orioles DH/1B Ryan O’Hearn.
The Guardians are more motivated to sell now that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been placed on leave. Keep an eye on Shane Bieber and Steven Kwan.
The relief market is expected to move slowly with a big push just before Thursday’s official deadline.
One AL executive said both sellers and buyers alike were being “unreasonable” with their asks and offers.
Extra Innings
Godspeed, Ryno.
"The last couple of days, he wanted to speak to me, Andre [Dawson] and Mark Grace. He told us that he loved us and he loved all you @Cubs fans too. Go Cubs."
An emotional Shawon Dunston speaks on the impact his legendary double play partner, Ryne Sandberg, made on him. pic.twitter.com/OiHCJpAEcD
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 29, 2025
They Said It
- “That’s the real Roy Hobbs because this can’t be happening! We’re sitting here, and it doesn’t make any difference if it’s 1984 or ’54 — just freeze this and don’t change a thing!” – Bob Costas
- “I didn’t play the game right because I saw a reward at the end of the tunnel. I played it right because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Play it right, and with respect.” – Sandberg
- “Ryne was a hero to a generation of Cubs fans. He will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise. 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.” – Tom Ricketts
Tuesday Walk-Up Song
Nothing seems appropriate today, so how about some Sandberg highlights instead?
