Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg died on Monday, July 28, after a long battle with cancer at age 65.

Sandberg spent most of his career as a second baseman with the Chicago Cubs. Yet for many Phillies fans, Sandberg is the ultimate “we let him get away” moment in the team’s 143-year history.

Sandberg was drafted by the Phils in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft and made his major league debut with the Phillies in September 1981. As a rookie, he played just 13 games, collecting a single hit — ironically at Wrigley Field, in Chicago.

The Phillies’ front office saw Sandberg as a utility infielder, nothing more. Cubs general manager Dallas Green had been with the Phillies when they drafted Sandberg and liked his upside. So when the Phillies traded shortstop Larry Bowa to the Cubs

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