Cancer-free Ryne Sandberg reveals approaching his illness like an MLB season, Cubs legend credits wife Margaret as team captain

The Cubs for a Cure 24-Hour Radiothon began on Thursday morning. 670 The Score and Audacy with the Cubs initiative, Stand Up To Cancer and BrainUp, hopes to raise $1 million for cancer research.

The event organizers announced various incentives, such as a Cubs suite or a Blackhawks suite, for the big donors throughout the day. On Thursday, Chicago Cubs legend and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg appeared on the show and stated he is cancer-free.

“At 7:45 this morning, had my last treatment,” Sandberg went emotional during the announcement on the radio. “All good.” [Time Stamp: -3.04.00]

It's a game changer for everybody around you, my family, relatives, neighbors... it feels like a player all over again. Margarate [Sandberg's wife] by my side, from Day 1 all the way through. She keeps track of the medicines and appointments.

In January, Sandberg publicly announced his cancer battle. He was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. However, 'Ryno' has been in remission since May.

“[At] 11:30, met my oncologist, he said the tests are great,” he added. “Cancer undetected, very manageable going forward and that’s the next plan.”

Ryne Sandberg played 16 seasons for the Cubs. During that time, the Pro Baseball Hall of Famer earned 10 All-Star nods, nine Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and a Home Run Derby. Unfortunately, Sandberg failed to win a World Series during his playing days but was inducted into Cooperstown in 2005.

While Sandberg provided his cancer treatment update on Thursday, his Cubs welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Wrigley Field on Friday for a three-game series. After getting swept by the Cleveland Guardians, Chicago occupies fourth place in the NL Central.

They’re ten and a half-game behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers (69-52).

Cubs final push for 2024 postseason

The last major MLB event after the All-Star break is the playoffs. Last season, it was an underdog show, as two wild card teams from both leagues, the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, defeated the higher-seeded teams and ultimately faced off. The Rangers clinched their maiden World Series title in an improbable October Classic matchup.

Meanwhile, the Cubs' postseason drought continues. In 2016, they broke their 100-year-old billy goat curse by lifting the championship. Since then, they have qualified for three postseasons, reaching the Championship Series (2017) once and losing the Wild Card Series twice (2018 and 2020).

The Cubs have failed to make the playoffs during the past three years. With only a month and a half remaining before October, that streak will likely move to four seasons.