G-BRAVES GALORE: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Iron Pigs in town to face Gwinnett

Ryne Sandberg truly loves the game of baseball. Former Cubs second baseman, Sandberg has already been inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player with gaudy career statistics such as his .989 fielding percentage (a major league record), nine consecutive gold gloves at second base and ten consecutive all-star appearances. Most players of that caliber hang up the cleats, believing they have already accomplished enough in the game of baseball. Not Ryno.

Sandberg began his coaching career as a spring training instructor for the Cubs. From 2007-2010, he climbed his way up the minor league ladder coaching one season of Class-A, two seasons of Double-A and one season of Triple-A in the Cubs organization. He even won the honor of Manager of the Year in the Pacific Coast League in 2010.

As the 2010 MLB season winded down, Lou Pinella announced that he would not be back with the Cubs in 2011. The perfect time to hand the reins to Sandberg, who had been coveting this job ever since he began his coaching career. The Cubs had other plans, however, giving the job to interim manager Mike Quade, who led the Cubs to a 24-13 record after he took over for Pinella. Sandberg was hurt but the decision, venting that the interviewing process for the job was not conducted fairly.

“I think the most games anybody saw me manage was 4-5 games, by everybody that I talked to. Deep down I felt I did what I had to do, and had fun at it, and was good at it. I had some confidence right down to the end, but looking back at it, I see things a little differently.”

Wanting a fresh start, Sandberg interviewed and was offered the Triple-A managerial for the Philadelphia Phillies’ affiliate Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. On Memorial Day, Sandberg and his club traveled to Gwinett for a series against the Braves. Another unique aspect of Sandberg is his availability to the fans.

“People pay the ticket prices to come out and watch the game, and I oblige with some autographs. It’s pretty cool some of the things I’ve seen… memorabilia and pictures from 30 years ago that people have saved, and for the past five years, people have gotten to come get them signed and meet me in person. It’s pretty neat.”

Sandberg’s appreciation for not only his management and players, but for his fans will go a long way into helping him finally get that job he has been waiting for in the big leagues. Lehigh Valley currently has the second best record in the entire International League at 31-19. Sandberg has won wherever he has gone. Whichever organization steps up to the plate and offers this man a major league managerial position, they certainly will not regret it.