Once again, a week of the dreaded 'threes'

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Today, the Chicago Cubs paid tribute to franchise legend Ryne Sandberg, just days after the Hall of Fame infielder died following a battle with cancer.

The Cubs players wore blue jerseys on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles — their first home game since Sandberg's death — with every player wearing No. 23, Sandberg's number, and no other names on the back. The jerseys were to be auctioned off postgame, with proceeds benefiting cancer research as part of Cubs For A Cure.

Several years ago, an outstanding local baseball coach who many of us know named his son Ryne. To this day, I have never asked if Ryne was named after Ryne Sandberg, but I suspect it is possible if not likely.

Sandberg died on July 28 at the too-soon age of 65. (I am 64, and I can relate to the grim reality.)

Sandberg was a 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star. He was a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner. He was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1984.

Sandberg made a name for himself in Cubs lore on June 23, 1984, having a career game that included two home runs in what became known as the “Sandberg Game.” 

In an NBC national telecast of a Cardinals vs. Cubs game on June 23, 1984, the Cubs trailed 9-8 in the ninth inning against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter. Sandberg slugged a solo home run to left field, tying the game. After the Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning, Sandberg hit a two-run homer against Sutter in the 10th inning to again tie the game. 

Cubs radio announcer Harry Caray described the home run: "There's a drive, way back. Might be outta here. It is. He did it again. The game is tied. Holy Cow. Listen to this crowd, everybody's gone bananas."

Following the home run, NBC play-by-play announcer Bob Costas said: "Do you believe it?" The Cubs won the game in the 11th inning on an RBI single by Dave Owen. 

Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog later remarked: "Ryne Sandberg is the best baseball player I've ever seen, as far as I'm concerned."

After that, Sandberg established himself as a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove candidate, making 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991. His career .989 fielding percentage was a Major-League record at second base when he retired in 1997. He is tied with Jose Altuve for the most Silver Slugger Awards for a second baseman with seven. In 2005, Sandberg was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

I remember well watching and admiring Ryne Sandberg and was fortunate to have watched him up close at Riverfront Stadium in the 1990s when I covered Reds games. While Ernie Banks will always be "Mr. Cub," Ryan Sandberg will be close from his second base position. He was good. 

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There are two other recent passings of local athletes and sports aficionados that touched my memory bank.

Bob Emery of Sugartree Ridge passed away on Friday, Aug. 1 at the age of 71.

Like me, Bob was a graduate of Whiteoak High School in the class of 1972 – seven years prior to my 1979 class. 

When I was a youngster, Bob was always nice to me. When I was a young man, working at Rotary Forms Press and spending a few too many late-night hours in uptown Hillsboro – long before the new DORA district, Bob was there. And, yes, he looked after me. 

We always had fun conversations, mostly about current sports, whether it was baseball, NFL football, NCAA or local sports. Bob and I were fans.

It's the same with his brother, Chuck Emery. We all considered ourselves "Ridge-runners," but never in a negative way. It's just where we lived and still do. 

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And then I received the death notice of former educator and friend Randy Roush, who passed away July 28 at the age of 73.

When I was 16 years old and living in Hillsboro, I was in a car pool with three Whiteoak teachers, who also lived in Hillsboro. Randy was the last living of those teachers.

He was a Vo-Ag instructor for 33 years and impacted the lives of countless students. For 26 years of his career, he was at Whiteoak High School in Mowrystown.

I loved our daily car pool rides when I didn't have to stay after school for sports. We talked about anything and everything. We were both fans of the old television show "M*A*S*H and often talked about those episodes.

In 1979, Whiteoak High School used to have an end-of-the-year basketball game between graduating senior boys and the faculty. In 1979, Randy Roush did not play in that game. Afterward, I asked him why he didn't.

"It just wouldn't be fair," Randy told me.

Later, I played a one-on-one game with Randy at the Hillsboro city park on Railroad Street. I understood. It just wouldn't be fair.

When I had my first pair of contact lenses in 1980, Randy and I played basketball again. He told me that I finally learned to shoot a basketball. I told him, for the last 19 years, I really couldn't see the rim.

If anyone ever had a negative thing to say about Randy Roush, I certainly did not hear it. He was a great teacher, a friend, and as nice of a gentleman anyone could know.

Rest In Peace, all. You will be missed.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.