The Cubs cut Ryne Sandberg’s number 23 on the Wrigley Field grass before the statue’s unveiling. originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
He Puppies They traded their lawn mowers for paintbrushes on Friday, cutting Ryne Sandberg’s No. 23 into the center field grass at Wrigley Field before their weekend series against the Mets.
The Cubs’ gesture comes ahead of an important weekend for Sandberg. The North Side will unveil the Sandberg statue at Wrigley Field on Sunday at 3 pm CT.
Sandberg already has his classic number 23 retired by the Cubs. Along with Sandberg, Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins also have their numbers retired.
Now, Sandberg will join a limited cast to have a statue at Wrigley Field. There is one in honor of legendary broadcaster Harry Caray and three others in honor of the Hall of Fame trio of Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Billy Williams.
sandberg said on 670 The Score On Friday he didn’t think so much about his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame as about earning a statue at Wrigley Field. But he’s most excited about the memory he will preserve for Cubs fans.
“The way I look at this is a tremendous honor and gift from the Cubs and Tom Ricketts to me, my family and my friends,” Sandberg said. “But ultimately, what a great gift for the Cubs fans and the baseball fans who will be attending the games at Wrigley Field starting Sunday. And to have a statue there, that’s kind of what I see. This “It’s for the fans to me. It’s something for fans to look at and maybe reflect on from the ’80s and ’90s.”