Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg has finally returned to the Chicago Cubs organization. After spending the last four years with the Philadelphia Phillies, Sandberg has taken a job as an ambassador with Cubs, and was in attendence for this past weekend's Cubs Convention.
Coaching experience
Sandberg spent time as the manager of the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League, Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League and the Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League; all three of the clubs were minor league affiliates for the Chicago Cubs. In his first season as a manager with the Peoria Chiefs, he led the team to a MWL (Midwest League) Title and by his last year as a manager within the Cubs organization he wound up winning manager of the year in the PCL (Pacific Coast League) with the Iowa Cubs, Chicago’s AAA affiliate.
Many would have hoped that following Lou Pinella's departure as the Cubs manager that Sandberg would step up and take the position to lead the team that he once played for, but there were other plans in store. The issue with the possibility of acquiring Sandberg to fulfill the managerial vacancy was that Piniella retired during the latter end of the season in August. Therefore, the Cubs had no choice but to hire an interim manager and they gave the nod to Mike Quade. Quade was the Cubs third base coach at the time, and had been high on their list of potential hires when they made the decision to hire Piniella. Piniella came out of retirement and took the position, forcing Quade to accept another positon either with the Cubs or another organization.
Fallout from that decision
Once the news broke that the Cubs had signed Quade to a two year contract, Sandberg felt it was time to part ways and move on. Sandberg wound up joining the Philadelphia Phillies organization where he began managing the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, their Triple-A affiliate. In his first year as the manager of the Iron Pigs he led the team to their first ever postseason appearance and the ILC (International League Championship). Following that season, he captured yet another manager of the year award. Sandberg spent one more season with Lehigh and then was named the interim manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He eventually inked a three year contract spanning from 2014-2016 with an option for a fourth year, depending on success.
Time with Philadelphia did not go to plan
His time as the manager of the Phillies was perhaps the darkest of his career. Philadelphia was atrocious in 2015-their record of 26-48 was the worst in the league. Sandberg couldn’t handle it anymore and left in the middle of the season.
When the news broke the other day that Sandberg would be returning to the Cubs, this time as an ambassador, Cubs fans everywhere were thrilled. The Cubs should have never let him slip through their fingers back in 2010-2011 following the Piniella departure. However, he is now back.