When it was announced Monday evening that Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg died at 65, so many thoughts circled through my memory banks. The one, overarching theme that I couldn't shake was how an entire generation of Cubs fans lost their favorite player.

Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.

Ryne Sandberg, a Chicago Cubs legend who's been battling cancer, has died at the age of 65, the club announced on Monday.