He played sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981) and the Chicago Cubs (1982–1994, 1996–1997).

[4][5] The previous fall he was named to Parade Magazine's High School All-America football team, one of the eight quarterbacks,[6][7] and one of two players from the state of Washington.

[2][8] Sandberg was recruited to play quarterback at NCAA Division I colleges, and eventually signed a letter of intent with Washington State University in Pullman.

In his first professional season, Sandberg played exclusively at shortstop and hit .311 with a .390 OBP, 1 home run, 15 stolen bases and 23 RBI in 56 games.

Among his teammates at Helena were George Bell, a future MVP, and Bob Dernier, who would later form the "Daily Double" with Sandberg in Chicago.

[12][13] Remaining at shortstop in 1979, Sandberg played for the Class A level Spartanburg Phillies in the Western Carolinas League.

While Sandberg had played both second and third base in the minor leagues, he was blocked from those positions by Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt.

The trade, now reckoned as one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history, came about after negotiations for a new contract between Bowa and the Phillies broke down.

[19] While DeJesus helped anchor the Phillies infield on their way to the 1983 World Series, he lasted only three years in Philadelphia, and was out of baseball by 1988.

[21] The Cubs, who initially wanted Sandberg to play center field, installed him as their third baseman, and he went on to be one of the top-rated rookies of 1982.

Bob Dernier was the leadoff hitter and gold glove center fielder for the Cubs in 1984, while Sandberg batted second.

He nearly became only the third player to collect 20 doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in the same season, led the Cubs to the National League's Eastern Division title (their first championship of any kind since 1945), and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, the first by a Cub since Ernie Banks' back-to-back honors in 1958 and 1959.

[23] The Cubs had been playing well throughout the season's first few months, but as a team unaccustomed to winning, they had not yet become a serious contender in the eyes of most baseball fans.

The Game of the Week, however, put the sleeper Cubs on the national stage against their regional rival, the St. Louis Cardinals.

In the ninth inning, the Cubs trailed 9–8, and faced the premier relief pitcher of the time, Bruce Sutter.

However, in the ninth inning, Sandberg, not yet known for his power, slugged a solo home run to left field against the Cardinals' ace closer, tying the game.

As NBC play-by-play announcer Bob Costas, who called the game with Tony Kubek, said when Sandberg hit the second home run, "Do you believe it?!"

[26] Sandberg played in front of his hometown fans in the 1990 MLB All-Star Game which was held in Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs.

With his average at a career low .238 and having recorded only 53 hits in 57 games, Sandberg decided to step away from baseball, and on June 13, 1994, he announced his retirement.

In his book, Second to Home, Sandberg said, The reason I retired is simple: I lost the desire that got me ready to play on an everyday basis for so many years.

Without it, I didn't think I could perform at the same level I had in the past, and I didn't want to play at a level less than what was expected of me by my teammates, coaches, ownership, and most of all, myself.Sandberg returned to the Chicago Cubs for the 1996 and 1997 seasons, then retired with a career batting average of .285, and a record 277 home runs as a second baseman; this record was surpassed in 2004 by Jeff Kent.

Sandberg delivered what many traditionalist fans considered a stirring speech at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2005.

Specifically, he spoke of how the game needs more than home run hitters, citing that turning a double-play and laying down a sacrifice bunt are weapons many of today's greats don't value.

He became only the fourth Chicago Cub to have his number retired, following (in chronological order) Ernie Banks (#14), Billy Williams (#26), and Ron Santo (#10).

Sandberg has worn his uniform number 23 in past jobs as a Cubs spring training instructor and Peoria Chiefs manager.

In December 2008, Sandberg was promoted to manager of the Class Double-A Team Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League.

In this position, he makes public appearances at Cubs-related events, and attends Cubs games to meet and greet fans;[39] and is an occasional color commentator for the team's telecasts on Marquee Sports Network.

[42] Sandberg and his wife, Margaret, founded Ryno Kid Care[43] to assist in the lives of children with serious illnesses.

Ryno Kid Care also provided massage therapists and clowns dressed up as doctors and nurses to brighten the children's day.

Ryno Kid Care's mission was "dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families, by providing supportive, compassionate and meaningful programming."