Hall of Fame former Chicago Cubs infielder Ryne Sandberg remains a revered figure on the North Side. As a result, his January prostate cancer diagnosis hit Cubs fans hard.
However, on Thursday, Sandberg announced on Instagram that he was cancer-free. To celebrate Sandberg's news and raise cancer awareness, Chicago center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong wore special cleats for the Cubs' game against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday.
Before the game, Crow-Armstrong showed off the cleats to a touched Sandberg; Chicago posted video of the encounter on social media.
"I got [your name] on there and one of my old baseball coaches' initials," Crow-Armstrong told Sandberg.
Ryno approved. 🥹✔️ pic.twitter.com/TSga8HwZyk
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 17, 2024
Sandberg also chuckled at the presence of his signature on the cleats.
"That's early years. I got a fancier one now," Sandberg said. "This is [1982, '83]. That's a classic."
In 15 seasons with the Cubs, Sandberg slashed .285/.344/.452 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs—winning the National League MVP award in 1984 and finishing in the top five in voting in '89 and '90.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Salutes Newly Cancer-Free Ryne Sandberg With Special Cleats.
