Ryne Sandberg Remembered on Anniversary of Historic Wrigley Field Game Between Peoria and Kane County

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Monday’s passing of Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg came just shy of a poignant milestone: the 17-year anniversary of the historic minor league matchup he managed between the Peoria Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars at Wrigley Field.

On July 29, 2008, Sandberg led the Chiefs in the first minor league game played at the iconic stadium in 94 years. According to the Peoria Journal Star, the event drew a record-breaking crowd of 32,103 fans—still the largest in Midwest League history—who gave Sandberg a rousing standing ovation during pregame introductions.

The game, which was ultimately suspended due to rain in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 6-6, resumed the following day at Peoria’s O’Brien Field. As MLB.com reported, the Chiefs edged out Kane County 9-8 in 12 innings. 

This memorable 2008 contest was one of only two appearances the Kane County Cougars have made at Wrigley Field, with the second occurring in 2010.

Sandberg’s journey through the minor leagues began when the Chicago Cubs named him manager of the Class A Peoria Chiefs in 2007. As the Chicago Tribune noted, his early success led to swift promotions—first to Double-A Tennessee in 2009, then to Triple-A Iowa in 2010. ​