Latest news with #Cooperstown
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Ryne Sandberg's wife? How she anchored his legacy, raised their family and lived beyond baseball
Margaret Sandberg stood quietly beside Ryan, through every innings of life and beyond (Image via You Tube) As the world mourns the death of baseball legend Ryne Sandberg at 65, there's one figure who remained his anchor through every inning of life—his wife, Margaret. While Sandberg's legacy lives on in Cooperstown and Chicago Cubs history, it's the quieter legacy of love, loyalty, and resilience built with Margaret that truly defined his personal journey. From baseball diamonds to battling brain cancer, Margaret was by his side, not just as a spouse but as his strongest support system. Who is Margaret Sandberg ? The woman beyond the ballpark Margaret Sandberg, Ryne's second wife, married him in 1995—just two years after he briefly retired from Major League Baseball. Unlike the headlines her husband often made, Margaret largely stayed away from the limelight, choosing instead to lead a grounded family life. She was present in the stands during his big moments, but even more present during the quiet, challenging ones. Margaret became a pillar of strength, especially in Ryne's final year, helping him through his difficult brain cancer battle. The couple built their life away from the noise, raising a blended family that included children from Ryne's first marriage. 'I am lucky to be married to Margaret,' Ryne had once said in an earlier interview, acknowledging her unwavering presence in his life. They were often seen attending charity events and Cubs alumni functions together, radiating warmth and humility. Through illness and adversity, she remained his constant Ryne Sandberg's health struggles became public in 2023, when he revealed he was undergoing treatment for metastatic prostate cancer, which later spread to his brain. In those critical moments, Margaret became his primary caregiver, ensuring he stayed connected to his fans and baseball family even as he underwent aggressive treatment. Just months before his death, Ryne posted an emotional update: 'I have been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret and family.' This one line showed not just his condition but the central role Margaret played in his life. She managed his public updates and shielded him from unnecessary media glare, all while offering emotional strength to their children and extended family. Legacy beyond the field: A love that defined his final chapter While Sandberg's on-field stats—10 All-Star selections and a place in the Hall of Fame—cemented his baseball greatness, his off-field love story with Margaret gave him grounding. Together, they spent nearly three decades building a life centered on family, faith, and community. Margaret was there during his managerial stints with the Phillies and later during his quieter retirement years, when he devoted time to golf, grandchildren, and charity. In his final months, Ryne's social media was filled with memories and family photos, almost always featuring Margaret. Her silence through the media storm wasn't absence—it was dignity. It was loyalty. It was love. And now, as tributes pour in for Ryne, Margaret remains the unsung hero of a life well-lived. Also read: Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies at 65 after courageous cancer battle FAQs 1. Who was Ryne Sandberg married to? Ryne Sandberg was married to Margaret Sandberg since 1995. 2. Did Ryne Sandberg have children with Margaret? They had a blended family with children from Ryne's first marriage, including Justin and Lindsey. 3. What type of cancer did Ryne Sandberg have? He was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that later affected his brain. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Japan Times
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Behind the scenes at the Baseball Hall of Fame's new Yakyu/Baseball exhibit
The 'Yakyu / Baseball: The Transpacific Exchange of the Game' exhibit, now open at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, tells a sweeping, richly visual story about the deep and evolving connection between Japan and America's shared national pastime. From the moment visitors enter, they are confronted with a suit of samurai armor presenting Japanese players as fiercely disciplined warriors across 1,800 square feet in the museum's third‑floor Guggenheim Gallery. The first exhibit in Cooperstown to focus on trans-Pacific baseball history, it spans more than 150 years, beginning in Japan's Meiji era and continuing to the present day. The exhibition is organized around four main narratives. Japanese teams touring America, with highlights including Waseda University's 1905 tour and later college and club teams' barnstorming trips across the United States. American teams touring Japan, with vivid emphasis on the legendary 1934 tour featuring Babe Ruth, and other All-Stars, which helped catapult the rise of Japanese professional baseball. American-born players in Japan, including stories of pioneers like Larry Doby, Warren Cromartie, Randy Bass and most notably the Lee brothers and Matt Murton, all of whom embraced Nippon Professional Baseball and left lasting legacies. Japanese-born players in Major League Baseball, starting with the pioneering Masanori Murakami — the first Japanese-born MLB player, who made his debut in 1964 for the San Francisco Giants and actually greeted fans at the exhibit during Hall of Fame weekend. The exhibition tracks the path of Japanese major leaguers from Murakami and evolves through Hideo Nomo, with artifacts from his no-hitter; Hideki Matsui, including a game-worn jersey from 'Godzilla,' and a central focus on Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani. A single mannequin of Ichiro, featured in celebration of his 2025 induction as the first Japanese‑born player enshrined in Cooperstown, wears several pieces of memorabilia from his glittering career. | Joshua Mellin A single mannequin of Ichiro, featured in celebration of his 2025 induction as the first Japanese‑born player enshrined in Cooperstown, wears his 2006 World Baseball Classic Helmet, 2000 NPB season bat, 262nd hit batting gloves, elbow guard and wristbands, 2009 record-breaking jersey, 3,000th MLB hit pants and belt, and 500th MLB stolen base cleats, highlighting the variety of skills that made his game so imposing. For Ohtani, the exhibit focuses on the two-way icon's unique abilities, with an image-changing lenticular poster showing him batting and hitting during his tenure with both the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers. The Shohei Ohtani display case is flanked by a cutout of his dog, Dekopin. | Joshua Mellin A display case features the cap he wore during his first pitching experience with the Angels on April 1, 2019, and the helmet he wore two dates later when he crushed his first major league home run, along with the Dodgers jersey he wore with his debut with the team during 2024's Korea Series. Ohtani is, of course, accompanied by a life-size cutout of his loyal dog, Dekopin. There are also lots of artifacts from other players who have recently made the jump from NPB to MLB, including a ball from Roki Sasaki's perfect game when he was with the Chiba Lotte Marines, former Yokohama BayStar and current Chicago Cub Shota Imanaga's 2024 MLB All-Star hat and a glove donated by former Orix Buffalo and current Los Angeles Dodger Yoshinobu Yamamoto. A ball from Roki Sasaki's perfect game when he was with the Chiba Lotte Marines. | Joshua Mellin The two-way influence between America and Japan's shared pastime is covered extensively, tracing back to when Americans introduced the sport to Japan in the 1870s — highlighting the significant impact not only through athletes and ambassadors, but the passionate fan cultures in both countries. A pop culture section includes a deep dive into trading cards and baseball manga, and even the Hanshin Tigers' 'Curse of the Colonel' and subsequent 2023 Japan Series run are covered extensively alongside an infamous Winnie the Pooh baseball video game that visitors of all ages have been having difficulty resisting. There's even a passport stamp-style circuit in the exhibit that reveals an image after three different presses. And what would baseball be without the food? From hot dogs to takoyaki, a playful concession stand display lets visitors imagine concocting their own stadium snacks as if in Mad Libs, like Japanese 'Crunchy Wizard Ramen' or American 'Flaming Bambino Nachos.' Another highlight of the exhibit is a 7th-inning stretch simulator room inviting fans to join in on traditions from around the world, including the Hanshin Tigers' 'Lucky 7' song and the Rakuten Eagles' jet balloon release to the Chicago Cubs' sing-a-long at Wrigley Field and Red Sox fans' Fenway Park rendition of Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline." The exhibit even goes as far as to explain the Hanshin Tigers' "Curse of the Colonel" that recently ended with their 2023 Japan Series run. | Joshua Mellin The interactive elements offer a deeper experience new to the traditional Hall, marking a new era in its own evolution. Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch described 'Yakyu / Baseball' as 'unlike anything we've ever done in Cooperstown,' highlighting the role of design firm Solid Light in making the experience interactive and immersive. For fans wishing to visit to make the journey to Cooperstown to experience the exhibit themselves, 'Yakyu / Baseball' is set to remain on display for at least five to ten years and possibly indefinitely, especially given its enduring cultural and educational relevance. In a town built on American legends, this exhibit reminds us that some of the game's greatest stories have always been international.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ichiro Suzuki makes history as the 1st Asian MLB Hall of Famer
[Source] Ichiro Suzuki was officially inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, becoming the first Asian-born player ever to receive the sport's highest honor. The 51-year-old Aichi native, whose electrifying career began in Japan before transforming Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners, received near-unanimous support from the Baseball Writers' Association of America and was celebrated in Cooperstown for his record-breaking achievements on both sides of the Pacific. Suzuki's legendary MLB career includes more than 3,000 hits, 10 Gold Glove Awards and 10 All-Star selections. In 2004, he set the American League single-season record with 262 hits. When his professional hits in Japan are combined with his MLB total, Suzuki's 4,367 hits are recognized as the most by any player in the history of top-tier professional baseball. He is also the only MLB player to reach both 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases. During the induction ceremony, Suzuki delivered a speech that blended humor with reflection, telling the crowd, 'For the third time, I am a rookie,' referencing his journeys in Japan, MLB and now the Hall of Fame. He spoke of the inspiration he drew from his first visit to Cooperstown and credited his fans and mentors for his long-standing success. The Mariners plan to retire Suzuki's No. 51 jersey in August in honor of his achievements. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: ! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 'contrasting journeys' that defined 2025 HOF inductees
Yahoo Sports senior MLB analyst Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman look at highlights from 2025 Hall of Fame induction weekend in Cooperstown. Hear the full conversation on the 'Baseball Bar-B-Cast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript This class was so good, and of course this is true every year, the contrast of the journeys and styles and careers of all the people going in together, it is really cool that they just kind of, by circumstance and the nature of the process, end up going in together and will associate them together. And I think this class in particular, it will endure in that way. Any other just highlights from those speeches that you wanted to shout out? To have Parker and Sabathia together was very interesting. Kind of these two titans of black baseball from two completely different eras. And when you hear the way that people talk about them, it sounds similar, right? The players that looked up to Dave Parker at the end of his career, that he played with Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, Gary Sheffield, saying that to have that guy there was important to me. And then you had CI talking about how for him, watching baseball and seeing black players that looked like him, how that was important. And now CI is that for kind of the next generation in a lot of ways, and it was just cool to have those two stories being told up on the same podium at the same time. Um, and of course the Ichiro speech, I mean, just an all-time, just an all-timer. The shade to Miami was incredible, incredible. Let's be real, obviously Ichiro would have heard of the Marlins at that point. That was a joke. It's a great joke, and then Billy Wagner, who is so important to us as D3 dorks, Division 3 baseball, to see D3 on the plaque in bronze. Honestly, that was one of the parts where he got the most emotional, uh, when he was like, you know, the fact that, um, you know, someone that's 5' nothing who played Division 3 baseball in the middle of nowhere could be a Hall of Famer is really special to him. One of my favorite stats of all time, one of my favorite fun facts, the top 3 K/9 seasons in NCAA history, they are all three of Billy Wagner's seasons. He was dominant in a way that no one has ever been at that level. Uh, and congratulations to him. Congratulations to all of the inductees. Close
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'About damn time': Dave Parker's emotional poem read by son at Hall of Fame induction
Dave Parker did not make it to have his day in Cooperstown, dying from Parkinson's disease on June 28, exactly one month before the Baseball Hall of Fame was set to induct the Cobra along with four other players. Yet Parker, who was 74, seemed to sense this day was coming, and penned a poem that his son, David Parker II, read to the assembled throng at Cooperstown July 28. It was equal parts defiant and reflective, braggadocious and appreciative and, for Pittsburgh, a balm. Parker played 19 major league seasons, the first 11 with the Pirates, helping them win the 1979 World Series. He went on to the Cincinnati Reds, won another title in Oakland and finished with one season in Milwaukee. Yet Parker proclaimed "I'm a Pirate for Bucs on my heart." Dave Parker poem Here's the full text of his son's reading: Here I am, 39. About damn time. I know I had to wait a little, but that's what you do with fine aged wine. I'm a Pirate for life. Wouldn't have it no other way. That was my family, even though I didn't go on Parade Day. I love y'all, the Bucs on my heart because those two championships I got, y'all played in the first part. I'm in the Hall now, you can't take that away. That statue better look good -- you know I got a pretty face. Top-tier athlete, fashion icon, sex symbol. No reason to list the rest of my credentials. I'm him, period. The Cobra. Known for my rocket arm, and I will run any catcher over. To my friends, families: I love y'all. Thanks for staying by my side. I told y'all Cooperstown would be my last ride.'' Dave Parker induction Parker hit 339 home runs and was a seven-time All-Star. He failed to garner the required 75% support on ballots submitted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, peaking at 24.5% in 1998. He also failed to earn any votes in his first two appearances on a veteran's committee ballot in 2014 and 2018, but earned 43.8% in 2020 and was named on 14 of 16 ballots in December 2024, enough for enshrinement. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dave Parker Hall of Fame induction: Son reads late father's poem
