Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg hopped on the Cubs' Instagram story Monday night for a Q&A session. The 1984 NL MVP shared some fun career stories, whether he prefers Chicago or New York pizza, how he got his "Ryno" nickname and more.
Here's a transcription of the interview:
Favorite teammates
"I was a very team-oriented guy, tried to bring everybody together each year as a team. I really liked all my teammates. Some of my favorites [are] Gary Matthews, Bob Dernier, Rick Sutcliffe, Andre Dawson, Greg Maddux, just to name a few. The ’84 team and ’89 teams, [I had] very good teammates."
Why he wore No. 23
"I wore No. 23 because that’s the number that was hanging in my locker as a rookie. Yosh Kawano, the longtime clubhouse guy, put that number in my locker. So, basically, he chose it for me, and I thought it was kind of an odd number at first. But he told me when I made the team and was headed to Cincinnati for Opening Day in 1982, he said ‘That’s the number you’re gonna wear. Make it a good one.’"
Favorite thing to do on a road trip
MLB
"When it was off days on a road trip, [I] played on some teams where we had numerous golfers. So, often times, a couple of foursomes or three foursomes go out and play the courses in that city across the United States. We played some good ones. I remember 1983, I believe it was, off day in San Francisco we played Pebble Beach and also Spyglass. Thirty-six holes in one off day. Outstanding."
How he got "Ryno" nickname
"I was given the nickname “Ryno” by Harry Caray in 1982, which I liked very much. He just started to call me Ryno on WGN and that caught fire. Before you know it, everybody called me Ryno. I was very pleased about that because up to that point, I had a couple nicknames. Sandy was one, and a lot of people called me Ryan.
"Once Haray gave me the nickname Ryno, it stuck very well and I also like the animal it exemplified, kind of a charging rhino."
Better pizza: Chicago or New York?
"I like everything and eat just about everything, so I think if I’m in New York, I’d have New York pizza. When I’m in Chicago, have Chicago pizza."
Favorite baseball movie
The obvious choice: "Field of Dreams." Also right up there tied with "Field of Dreams, for me, is "For Love of the Game" [with] Kevin Costner. Also, you might be a little bit surprised, "Fever Pitch," with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore about the Boston Red Sox. I thought that was a good movie to watch with my wife, Margaret.
Favorite season
"I actually enjoyed all my seasons playing, [from] ’82, rookie season, all the way to ’97, my final year in a Cubs uniform. Obvious choice, the ’84 team, how we came out of the woodwork and really changed the Cubs logo and Wrigley Field was even more so of a heavenly place, and the Cubs fans just coming out across the country.
"Also, the ’89 team. Playoffs, Don Zimmer is the manager and once again, terrific teammates on both of those teams. Postseason play, that’s what it was all about."
Modern pitcher he’d most like to face
"Fifteen years, being a Hall of Famer and bragging to my grandkids about being a Hall of Famer. I would love to face any of the pitching today."
Players he'd choose for an all-time Cubs team
"Gary Matthews batting third, Andre Dawson batting fourth. Current players, I’d have to throw Jon Lester in there as a left-handed pitcher, Anthony Rizzo at first base and Javy Báez playing shortstop. Those guys for sure."
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