For the first time in five days, Ryne Sandberg was back with his team Monday after attending the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.

But he couldn't change their fortune, as the Peoria Chiefs have now lost six straight games.

“I got in touch with the team and hopefully we can turn it around tomorrow,” Sandberg said.

Given the history of where the Hall of Famer and former Chicago Cubs second baseman will be today, his wish may come true. Sandberg will lead the Chiefs against the Kane County Cougars in the first minor league baseball game ever to be played in Wrigley Field's 94-year history.

Sandberg met with Fort Wayne resident Justin Dean and his family before Monday's 4-2 loss to the Fort Wayne Wizards. Dean won a silent auction for a baseball signed by Sandberg. Dean paid $200 for the ball, with the money going to Safety Village, a local organization.

“There's a lot of Cubs fans here,” Sandberg said. “It's fun to meet them and talk to them before the game (or) give them an autograph. I'm glad to see them come out and support the teams. It makes it a nice atmosphere for a ballgame. I've enjoyed the last couple years coming in here and it's been great.”

About a half hour before Monday's 7 p.m. start, fans lined up at Memorial Stadium in hopes of getting the second-year manager's autograph. He started down the line about 20 minutes before game time, but didn't get all the way through.

It was six days ago that the Chiefs were involved in a bench-clearing brawl with the Dayton Dragons. The kerfuffle made national news in part because Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo tried to throw a ball into the Dragons dugout, but it sailed high and hit a fan. Castillo was arrested and charged with felonious assault.

“It's very unfortunate and not what we teach here,” said Sandberg, who was not with the team when the fight happened.

“It's an unfortunate situation. A young player really didn't know any better and he made a really big mistake. He's going to have to suffer the consequences.

“But other than that… like I say, it's something that the Cubs organization doesn't condone. I don't condone that. We're just trying to move forward now.”