Ron Santo, who played 3rd base for the Chicago Cubs during their hey-day as baseball's darlings, and later became known as WGN Radio analyst on Cubs games, died yesterday at the age of 70. He died of cancer.
Santo had diabetes, a severe case, which would have stopped most people. He fought thrugh amputations, and illness, and still found his seat in the broadcast booth of the the Cubbies. Santo was a power-hitting ball player who played along with Ernie Banks and Billy Williams on Cubs teams managed by Leo Durocher, which brought the fans back to Wrigley. The Cubs became a winning team and were contenders in their division. In 1969, they held an 8 game lead in September only to lose to the NY Mets in one of the black days in Cubs history. That team produced 3 Hall of Famers, Banks, Williams, and pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.
Santo was on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, but didn't get elected. One of the my fondest memories as a Cubs fan was to see him after a win, clicking his heels as he walked down the left field line to enter the Clubhouse. He hit in the clutch, drove in runs, and thrilled Cubs fans as the long-time 3rd baseman for the Cubs.
Ron, you were a great player.
