Cubs to unveil Ryne Sandberg statue on 40th anniversary of iconic game originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
O Chicago puppies are making a major addition to Wrigley Field this weekend, with a statue honoring the Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg in the spotlight on a big anniversary in the team’s history.
Sandberg will be honored before Sunday’s game against the New York Mets with a statue on Gallagher Way outside the stadium, alongside several other monuments honoring the team’s greatest legends.
The inauguration will take place on the 40thth anniversary of one of the most famous games in the team’s history, a 12-11 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field that was nationally televised and cemented Sandberg’s status as a rising star.
The famous “Sandberg Game” occurred on June 23, 1984, as the Cubs prepared for what would be their first playoff appearance in 39 years.
The Cardinals led the game 7-1 after two innings and were up 9-3 after the sixth, but the Cubs were able to rally and were within one run in the top of the ninth inning.
Bruce Sutter, a former Cubs pitcher who would eventually be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, was on defense for the Cardinals when Sandberg stepped up to the plate to start the ninth inning. Sandberg finally hit a Sutter pitch to left field, tying the game at 9-9 and sending Wrigley Field into pandemonium.
After the Cardinals scored twice in the bottom 10thSandberg appeared again with Bob Dernier on first and again hit Sutter, tying the contest at 11-11.
Sandberg would finish the game with five hits and seven RBIs, and Dave Owen would win the contest with an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th.th inning to give the Cubs an improbable 12-11 victory over their hated rivals.
The game took on added significance because it was broadcast on national television, with Bob Costas making the immortal calls on television and Harry Caray describing the action on the radio. Costas will be at Wrigley Field on Sunday to participate in the unveiling ceremony for Sandberg’s statue.
The 1984 Cubs would take first place in the National League East on August 1 and never look back, punching their ticket to the National League Championship Series. They would lose in five games to the San Diego Padres, but the season was among the most successful in team history and propelled Sandberg into what would become a Hall of Fame career.
In addition to winning the MVP award in 1984, Sandberg would win the second of nine consecutive Gold Gloves. He also won the Silver Slugger, one of seven he would win in his career, and the first of two playoff appearances he would make as a member of the Cubs.
Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, and his number 23 jersey was retired by the Cubs after his playing career.
The statue ceremony will take place before Sunday’s game and will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network. The Cubs will face the New York Mets at 6:05 pm on ESPN.
