Lou Cella, who created all of the Cubs statues outside Wrigley Field, said he'll be eternally grateful to the Cubs.

Like so many stars before him and after, Ryne Sandberg’s connection with Philadelphia is a tale of what might have been, both as a player and as a manager. In 1982, former Phillies manager Dallas Green was the Chicago Cubs’ general manager.

Green, who managed the Phillies to a World Series title in 1980, was the Cubs general manager on Jan. 27, 1982, when he traded shortstop Ivan de Jesus to Philadelphia for shortstop Larry Bowa and Sandberg, who played his first 13 games in the majors in ’81.

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg managed the Tennessee Smokies for a single season and left a lifetime of memories for those in the organization.

Bears coach Ben Johnson called Ryne Sandberg “a big part of my childhood” in offering condolences to the family of the Cubs’ Hall of Fame second baseman who died Monday night.

Barry Rozner, who was the Cubs beat reporter for the Daily Herald during Ryne Sandberg's career, joined Monday night's GN Sports to share memories of Sandberg, who died at age 65 after battling cancer.

Ryne Sandberg hits a home run to deep left off of Doc Gooden to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead over the Mets in the 3rd