I just came across some interesting information on Sandberg….

5) He was a dual - sport athlete. Apparently Sandberg was recruited to play quarterback by several NCAA division I schools and actually signed a letter of intent for Washington State University. As we all know ( and thank God for it ), he chose to play baseball instead after he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.

4) His nephew, Jared, played some third base for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, hitting 18 home runs in 102 games.

3) Ryno’s last game at Wrigley was also the last time Harry Caray sang “Take me out the the ballgame”, as Caray passed away during the offseason.

2) He was a former baseball columnist for Yahoo sports and an ESPN Radio 1000 analyst during the 2004 season.

1) During the search for a managerial replacement for Dusty Baker this offseason, Sandberg actually met with Jim Hendry for dinner to lobby for the position. Lou
Piniella was hired instead as Sandberg was a long-shot, but Ryno was offered and accepted the position with the Peoria Chiefs ( the Cub’s Class A farm team ).