WHEREAS, Ryne Dee Sandberg was born in Spokane, Washington, on
September 18, 1959; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was a standout athlete in baseball,
football, and basketball at North Central High School (the "Indians")
in Spokane; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg led the Indians to a 25-3 record and the
1978 state baseball championship game, hitting .417 with 4 home runs
his senior season; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in
the twentieth round of the 1978 major league baseball draft; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1982,
where his unique combination of power and consistency made him one of
the greatest second basemen in the history of baseball; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was a ten-time All-Star and nine-time Gold
Glove second baseman; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg is only the tenth player in history to hit
at least 250 home runs and steal at least 250 bases; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg holds the major league record for fielding
percentage for a second baseman, at .989; and
WHEREAS, Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg became a Cubs legend on June 23,
1984, when he hit two game-tying home runs off All-Star closer Bruce
Sutter in the Cubs' extra-innings victory over the St. Louis Cardinals
at Wrigley Field, evoking the nickname "Baby Ruth" from opposing
manager Whitey Herzog, who called it one of the greatest performances
he had ever seen; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg gained even more respect and admiration from
fans for his willingness to give back to the community through
charities and other activities; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on
January 4, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg is only the second graduate of a Washington
high school to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate
honor Ryne Sandberg on his long and wonderful career with the Chicago
Cubs and thank him for giving so much back to the team's fans and to
the community.