MESA, Ariz. – On the flight to Arizona, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg calculated the number of spring training camps he’d attended in uniform, from the time he was 18 years old until now.
His count included his rise through the Phillies’ system, drafted in 1978 and debuted in 1981. It then picked up with the Cubs and the 15 seasons he played for Chicago. After hanging up his cleats, Sandberg kept coming back – as a guest, coach, Phillies manager and Cubs ambassador.
There were two notable exceptions. In 2021, COVID-19 restrictions limited spring training access.