After fifteen major league seasons, fourteen of which were with the Chicago Cubs, award winning third baseman, Ron Santo, died at the age of 70 last night. With five consecutive Gold Glove awards, nine All-Star appearances, awards for most consecutive games played, most seasons played leading in fielding chances, and most games played in the season under his belt, Santo had an extraordinary career. After his playing career, Santo became the Chicago Cubs color radio announcer alongside commentator, Pat Hughes. Ron brought nothing but excitement to Cubs games over the radio; so much excitement, in fact, there is a CD called “Welcome to the Friendly Confines of the Pat and Ron Show” showing Ron’s goofier side. As the Cubs organization puts it, “Santo was a fan first and a broadcaster second, cheering a big hit as heartily as he groaned and sighed after a big strikeout. He never apologized for that.”Ron Santo had battled health issues since he was a young man. When he was eighteen he found out that he had Type 1 diabetes and that the doctors expected him to have a maximum of 25 more years. In 2001, Santo had his right leg amputated as a result of the diabetes and the left leg followed in 2002. On Wednesday, he went into a coma as a result of complications from bladder cancer and the diabetes and then later died the next night.
I had the privilege of meeting this Cubs’ legend not too long ago and he was nothing but friendly and cheerful. Ron Santo never appeared to be brought down by these medical struggles in the public’s eye; he was so enthusiastic about the Cubs and baseball, in general. Everyday he would slap on a smile (as well as his toupee) and go cheer on the Cubbies win or lose, day after day, year after year; the Chicago Cubs were his life.
Ron will never be forgotten both as a player and as one of the most loved (and hated) commentators in all of baseball. He was one of the many faces of the Chicago Cubs and will forever remain one in the eyes of baseball fans across the country.
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