In an otherwise forgettable and dismal season for the Cubs, one highlight to the 2005 season won?t be forgotten. Ryne Sandberg?s induction to the Hall of Fame is the silver lining to an incredibly disappointing season on the North Side. Watching and listening to Ryno?s induction speech, and seeing his old #23 hoisted high above Wrigley Field, gave fans a chance to reminisce about one of the best second basemen to ever play the game. It also gave fans a chance to divert their attention from the latest summer swoon. Ryne Sandberg?s career can be summed up in two words: class and consistency. In today?s game, those are two traits that can be hard to come by. In Sandberg?s induction speech, his theme was ?Respect for the Game.? "When did it become OK for someone to hit home runs and forget how to play the rest of the game?" he asked. Unfortunately, the current Cubs players aren?t getting that message. In last night?s loss to the Dodgers, they hit 4 homeruns and lost the game 9-5. Sandberg never showed up an opposing pitcher by admiring a homerun. Sandberg kept his mouth shut and just played the game right. He was the anti-self promoter. Nobody really knew who Ryne Sandberg was. He was never really comfortable as the Chicago sports hero. It seemed as if he was reluctant to embrace the fans at Wrigley Field. Interviews seemed painful at times with Ryne Sandberg. His quiet and reserved personality clashed with his very sensational play on the field. Seeing Ryne Sandberg give one of the best Hall of Fame induction speeches in recent years was shocking, but also gratifying to Cubs fans. Ryno is finally beginning to come out of his shell. He is frequently seen mingling with the fans at Wrigley Field these days, as if he?s making up for lost time. Besides Sandberg?s quiet, workmanlike personality, he was a complete player on the field. He could hit the homerun when needed, drive in runs, steal a base, play error free baseball for a hundred plus games in a row, and even lay down a bunt. "Harry Caray, who was a huge supporter of mine, used to say how nice it was that a guy can hit 40 homers or steal 50 bases and drive in 100 runs, but was also the best bunter on the team. 'Nice?' That was my job." Sandberg was the ultimate selfless team player, doing whatever it takes to win the ballgame. The current edition of the Cubs is far too interested in hitting the ball onto Waveland Ave, to move a runner over a base. Sandberg was one of the premier players in the 1980?s. As a second baseman, he hit 277 homeruns. That puts him second all-time for second basemen, behind Jeff Kent. He won 9 gold gloves, which is second to Roberto Alomar. He appeared in 10 consecutive All Star games. He is one of only three players to have a 40 HR season and a 50 SB season (Barry Bonds/Brady Anderson). He was the MVP in 1984, when the Cubs won the National League Eastern division. The game of baseball needs more Ryne Sandberg?s today. He played the game right, and did it with class.