Photo: Cubs Unveil Ryne Sandberg Statue for MLB Hall of Famer, 10-Time All-Star

The Chicago Cubs entered Sunday's matchup against the New York Mets with a 13-23 record in their last 36 games and outside the National League playoff picture, so the day's focus was on better times of the past instead of the bleaker present.

The Cubs unveiled a Ryne Sandberg statue outside of Wrigley Field and celebrated the legendary second baseman ahead of the contest:

Sandberg played for the Cubs for 15 seasons from 1982 to 1997 and remains one of the best players in the history of the organization.

He is a Hall of Famer with a resume that includes the 1984 National League MVP, seven Silver Slugger awards, nine Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star selections and a Home Run Derby title. He impacted the game in a number of ways with impressive fielding, power at the plate, the ability to hit for average and speed on the basepaths.

In all, Sandberg slashed .285/.344/.452 with 282 home runs, 1,061 RBI and 344 stolen bases during his time on the Cubs.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers noted there was once "some doubt" about whether he would be able to attend Sunday's ceremony considering he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the time after the Cubs announced they would honor him in such a manner.

However, he was declared cancer-free in May.

"This was a guarantee for me," Sandberg said of attending. "I reverted back to my baseball days of having goals and my attitude of working towards something. That's what I've done."

Not only was he in attendance, he threw out the first pitch and was celebrated by Cubs fans as a franchise favorite who will forever be recognized outside of Wrigley Field thanks to the statue.