Sandberg excited for Wrigley return

CHICAGO -- Ryne Sandberg wants to squash any rumors. He's not planning a one-game comeback as a player at Wrigley Field.

Sandberg will manage the Peoria Chiefs in the first Minor League game in the ballpark's history. Again, just to be clear, he will manage.

"For me, this is about these players," Sandberg said. "These guys are the guys that are playing, trying to work their way up. I want to experience a day from a manager's standpoint, that's what I'm in this for. So I think that's more appropriate."

Sandberg's Chiefs, a Cubs affiliate, will face the Kane County Cougars, the Midwest League's A's affiliate, in the "Road to Wrigley" game on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Advance ticket sales are in the neighborhood of 30,000, and at least a few -- maybe closer to a few thousand -- paid to see not the players, but one manager.

Sandberg was a fan favorite when he patrolled second base at Wrigley from 1982-1997. "Ryno" hit .285 with 282 career home runs during his Hall of Fame career, and he still picks up a bat.

"I've seen him take some swings," Peoria pitcher Jon Mueller said. "He can probably play second base for us. I'd put him in the lineup. That would be a sight to see -- him activate himself for a day and get in there and take an at-bat. That would be crazy. Obviously, that's really far-fetched, but I'm sure the fans would just love to see that."

Seconds after the gates open at Peoria games, a single-file line forms for a Sandberg autograph session. Sandberg said he doesn't know what to expect as far as fan reaction at Wrigley. Other than being back in the home clubhouse and dugout, it's going to be a unique experience.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the game from a different vantage point, from the dugout managing and coaching third base, which we do here at the Minor League level," Sandberg said. "Those will be different viewpoints for me rather than at second base and home plate."

Sandberg returns to Wrigley for his managerial debut 27 years after his first game there as a player, when he roamed the visitors' dugout. Playing for the Phillies, he replaced fellow Hall member Mike Schmidt and singled off Mike Krukow in his first Wrigley at-bat. It was the first of his 2,386 career hits.

After being traded to the Cubs before the 1982 season, Sandberg began the year 0-for-20, including 0-for-14 at the Friendly Confines.

"When I first stepped foot on Wrigley Field, when I was 22 as a rookie, I was somewhat in awe, really," said Sandberg, a 10-time All-Star. "It was almost hard to go out and perform for the first few games, being in my home park, just because of that fact that it was a Major League stadium, a historic stadium."

Sandberg signed on to manage the Chiefs last season and went 71-68. Peoria leads its division through 36 second-half games this year, but may be best known for a brawl with the Dayton Dragons last week. Sandberg was not in charge that night, as he had already left for Hall of Fame weekend.

Sandberg accepted the Peoria job after missing out on the Cubs' manager opening following Dusty Baker's firing two years ago, so in that respect, he has something in common with his players.

"It's going to be a good experience for him, because he's trying to get up [to the Majors], too," Peoria catcher/first baseman Luis Bautista said. "He's trying to be a manager in the big leagues, so hopefully it'll help him out a little bit."