RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg, retired star second-baseman for the Chicago Cubs and a member of Baseball's Hall of Fame, has been named a recipient of the 2017 Order of Lincoln Award; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this honor by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Order of Lincoln is the State of Illinois' highest award given to individuals whose achievements and contributions to the betterment of society have brought honor to the state; and
WHEREAS, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois has recognized Ryne Sandberg as one of Chicago's most beloved professional athletes and as a Chicago Cub good-will ambassador; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, including 2,151 games for the Chicago Cubs, and was named to 10 consecutive All-Star teams and won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards; and
WHEREAS, In 1984 Ryne Sandberg led the Cubs to their first post-season play since 1945;and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg led the National League in both runs scored and triples to become the National League's Most Valuable player; and
WHEREAS, In 1990 Ryne Sandberg led the National League in home runs and became the first second baseman since 1925 to achieve such distinction; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg finished his career with the highest fielding percentage at second base withl5 streaks of 30 or more consecutive errorless games, and held the all-time record of 123 consecutive errorless games by a second baseman and more home runs than any second baseman in baseball history; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and currently serves as a good-will ambassador for the Chicago Cubs; and
WHEREAS, Ryno Kid Care, a non-profit organization operated by Ryne Sandberg, is dedicated to improving the lives of children throughout the Chicago area by collaborating with eight hospitals to provide various services to more than 700 children every month; and
WHEREAS, Ryne Sandberg assists unfortunate children and their families with his involvement with Big Brother and Big Sister companionships, in-hospital entertainment and Meals on Wheels; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council do hereby recognize and congratulate Ryne Sandberg as one of seven distinguished recipients of the Order of Lincoln Award which is to be presented by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois on May 6, 2017; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ryne Sandberg. /]