#23, Ryne Sandberg

Ryne Sandberg is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and is one of the most famous Chicago Cubs. Ryne played from 1981–1997 and he spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs.  Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2005 and his number #23 retired by the Cubs.

During his playing career, Sandberg established himself as a perennial All-Star by making 10 consecutive appearances. He was also an outstanding fielder, winning 9 consecutive Gold Gloves and has a career fielding percentage of .989, which is a major league record at second base. His career batting average is .285, and he has 2,386 hits, 282 home runs, and 1,061 RBIs. After his playing career, he decided he wanted to be a manager and the Cubs gave him a job in their minors in 2006 for the Cubs single-A affiliate, Peoria Chief.

Sandberg then spend the next two seasons, 2006-07 with Peoria. Then the next season in 2008, he was promoted to manager of the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. In 2009 and 2010, Sandberg spend his team with Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Sandberg was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year in 2010. Ryne has always said his dream job is to manage the Chicago Cubs. After the 2010 season the Cubs had an opening at manager and he seemed to be the front-runner.

On Oct. 19, 2010, Mike Quade was named Cubs manager and Ryne was very disappointed. He did everything the Cubs asked him to do and he taught that he was going to get the job. The Cubs offered him his old job back, but he did not take it. Sandberg currently manages the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, which is the AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Only will tell if Sandberg he a chance to fulfill his dream and manage the Cubs.

Check this interesting SI article on Ryne and his new home in Philly.