Cubs Wear No. 23 Blue Jerseys Honoring Ryne Sandberg vs Orioles

The Chicago Cubs are honoring Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who passed away at 65 after battling metastatic prostate cancer, with a special tribute during their upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles at Wrigley Field. On Saturday, the entire team will wear blue jerseys featuring Sandberg's No. 23 without nameplates, echoing the tradition of Jackie Robinson Day, and these jerseys will be auctioned to benefit cancer research through Cubs For A Cure. Sandberg, a 10-time All-Star and 1984 National League MVP, spent the majority of his 16-season MLB career with the Cubs, earning nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. The Cubs had already added a commemorative patch to their jerseys this season featuring Sandberg's number and signature, and they unveiled a statue of him in June. Diagnosed in January 2024, Sandberg's courageous fight and legacy have deeply impacted the team and its fans, with the tribute game serving as a moment of unity and remembrance. Cubs president Crane Kenney emphasized that Saturday will be "Ryno's day," celebrating the enduring influence Sandberg had on the franchise and the sport.