MILWAUKEE — The somber mood in the Chicago Cubs’ postgame clubhouse had nothing to do with a loss to their rival that dropped them into second place in the division.
The Cubs were still digesting the passing of franchise icon Ryne Sandberg, who died Monday at age 65 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Manager Craig Counsell shared the news with the team in the clubhouse following the Cubs’ 8-4 loss to the Brewers. Counsell had been informed shortly before the 6:40 p.m. first pitch at American Family Field. Some Cubs players found out during the course of the game.
“We’re saddened by the loss of a great man,” Counsell said. “We were lucky as a group this year to have Ryno in spring training, and it was an honor to be around a man battling for his life but wanting to come to the baseball park and spend his day with us. And I know it meant a lot to everybody in there, and we’re grateful that he was willing to spend that time with us when things weren’t going great for him.
“What’s so cool is that what we do for a living is about competing and beating people, but his presence was almost due to kindness. And that’s so rare and he was probably living on a higher level than the rest of us, and I think that’s what he was known for. That’s what made him special, and that’s why people like that make you better people.”
Ian Happ, the current longest-tenured Cub, recalled one April when he was grinding through an offensive slump, Sandberg told Happ his career numbers in April — a career .230/.295/.365 slash line — and that he always came out of it.
“Just little things like that,” Happ said. “And coming up as a second baseman, I was 21 years old in spring training and being able to give some advice and talk to me and not being above that, he just loved being around. He loved being there, and we knew how much he loved being a Cub. And we’re really lucky in this organization to have legends that want to come back and want to be around. He was a special man, and we’ll miss him very much.”
Sandberg’s statue unveiling outside Wrigley Field on June 23, 2024, the 40th anniversary of “The Sandberg Game,” was a special experience for the Cubs, too. Players, coaches and personnel gathered above Gallagher Way to watch the ceremony and Sandberg’s speech, something that continues to resonate for those who were there.
Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer, dies at 65 after cancer recurrence
“You get a sense of his place as a Cub, his place in baseball, that was an inspiring moment, just to be there, and the people for the people gathered there to honor Ryno,” Counsell said. “Those are the moments that kind of connect you generationally as baseball players, and then they connect you to a city and you get an understanding of the impact that you can have on people if you live your life in a positive manner.”
During the game, the Brewers overcame a shaky start from All-Star Jacob Misiorowski to win 8-4 and take sole possession of first place in the NL Central.
After allowing a bloop single and walk to begin the game, Misiorowski took a line shot off the bat of Seiya Suzuki to his left knee. The 23-year-old rookie struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong but threw a wild pitch in the process, allowing a run to score. Then, after fielding a dribbler in front of the mound, Misiorowski threw wildly to first as two runners scored.
Photos: Remembering Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg
The Brewers stormed back with four runs against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (11-4) in the third to take a 4-3 lead. Christian Yelich had an RBI double, Isaac Collins a two-run single and Brice Turang a sacrifice fly.
Andrew Vaughn hit a solo home run in the fifth and Sal Frelick hit another in the sixth to give the Brewers a 6-3 lead.
After Kyle Tucker’s run-scoring single in the seventh cut the margin to 6-4, Yelich hit a two-run shot to give the Brewers a four-run cushion.
Misiorowski gave up three hits and three runs in four innings. He walked two and struck out seven while throwing 11 pitches of 100 mph or more.
Trevor Megill got the last out with two runners on to notch his 24th save in 27 tries.
Jackson Chourio went 0 for 3 with two walks, ending his career-high hitting streak at 20 games for the Brewers.
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (8-4, 4.06 ERA) starts on Tuesday night against Brewers RHP Quinn Priester (9-2, 3.28).
The Associated Press’ Rich Rovito contributed to this report.
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