Ryne Dee Sandberg, the legendary “Ryno” of baseball fame, has had his share of personal ups and downs, and one significant chapter of his life involves his first wife, Cindy White.
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In 1979, at the tender age of 19, during his first full season in professional baseball, Ryne Sandberg decided to tie the knot with Cindy, his high school sweetheart. At that time, he was grappling with homesickness and the challenges of being alone in Spartanburg, S.C.
In a move that epitomizes spontaneity and youthful passion, Ryne asked Cindy to visit him, and when she did, he insisted that she stay. On May 8, with just one day of planning, the couple took their vows in a ceremony officiated by a justice of the peace. Notably, they chose to keep this significant life event from their parents initially.
The union between Ryne and Cindy resulted in the birth of two children, Justin and Lindsey. However, despite the early connection, the couple faced challenges, and their marriage ultimately came to an end.
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In July 1995, Ryne Sandberg and Cindy finalized their divorce. The process unfolded amidst a series of filings and reconciliations. Cindy initially filed for divorce on December 17, 1993, asserting that the marriage was “irretrievably broken.”
A reconciliation occurred 12 days later, only for Cindy to refile on June 20, 1994—just a week after Ryne announced his retirement from professional baseball. As part of the divorce settlement, which was concluded on July 5, 1995, Ryne and Cindy made arrangements to co-parent their children.
They agreed to remain in the same Phoenix neighborhood and crafted a comprehensive 20-page “parenting plan.” This plan ensured that both parents had equal time with their children, with Justin and Lindsey alternating weeks between homes that were conveniently situated in close proximity to each other.
The story of Ryne Sandberg and Cindy White reflects not only the challenges faced by high-profile individuals but also the resilience and commitment to shared parenting responsibilities even after the conclusion of their marital relationship.
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