Ron Santo

From Sports Library

Ron Santo
Image:Cubs10sky.PNG _{Number retired on 28 September 2003}
Position	3B (2,102 games) DH (47 games) 2B (42 games) SS (18 games) OF (8 games) 1B (3 games)
MLB Seasons	15
Teams	Cubs (1960-1973) White Sox (1974)
Debut	26 June 1960 (Cubs)
Final Game	29 Sept. 1974 (White Sox)
Total Games	2,243 batting 2,201 fielding
LCS Appearances	(none)
World Series Teams	(none)
All-Star Teams	1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973
Awards	Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1973)
	Gold Glove 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968
	National League Leader Walks 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968
	National League Leader Triples 1964 - 13
Nickname
"Pizza"

Ronald Edward Santo (born February 25 1940 in Seattle, Washington) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played almost his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named a National League All-Star 9 times during his 15 seasons of play (1960 - 1974), and won five consecutive Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence (1964-1968).

Santo made his debut with the Cubs on June 26, 1960. He played with the team until 1973, then finished his career with the cross-town Chicago White Sox in 1974. During his 14-season run with the Cubs, Santo hit 337 home runs; he was the first third baseman to hit over 300 home runs and win five Gold Gloves, a feat since matched by only Mike Schmidt, a Hall of Fame player.

In 1966, in the midst of trying to break the Cubs' team consecutive-game hitting streak, Santo was sidelined for nearly two weeks following a beaning that fractured his cheekbone. When Santo returned (and broke the record) he was wearing an improvised ear-flap on his batting helmet in order to protect the injury. Earflaps have since become standard equipment on batting helmets.

In the early years of his playing career, he carefully concealed the fact that he had Type 1 diabetes. He feared that had this information come out, he would be forced into retirement. As part of the publicity surrounding "Ron Santo Day" at Wrigley Field on August 28, 1971, he revealed his struggle with diabetes. He was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 18, and was given a life expectancy of 25 years. Santo has had both his legs amputated below the knee as a result of his diabetes; the right in 2001 and the left in 2002. Today, he is a Cubs broadcaster on WGN radio with play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes. He has also worked with Harry Caray, Thom Brennaman, Wayne Larrivee, and Bob Brenly.

Santo has been endorsing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes in Chicago since 1974, and has raised over $50 million for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). In 2002, Santo was named the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "Person of the Year." Santo also inspired Bill Holden to walk 2,100 miles, from Arizona to Chicago, to raise $250,000 for diabetes research.

On September 28, 2003, Santo's #10 was retired by the Cubs organization, making him the third player so honored behind his teammates Ernie Banks (#14) and Billy Williams (#26). Other prominent Cubs had worn number 10 after Santo's retirement, notably Dave Kingman and Leon Durham. The most recent wearer had been interim manager Bruce Kimm, just the previous year.

In 2005, he came within eight votes of election to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee, and in 2007 he came within five votes. Bill James, arguably baseball's most respected statistical guru, feels Santo's elevation to the Hall of Fame is long overdue. Most informed and responsible baseball historians (including Bill James) believe that Gil Hodges (said to rate a bit higher) and Ron Santo are the two most deserving candidates on the Veterans' Committee ballot. The committee is next scheduled to vote in 2009.

Although disappointed at being bypassed, on the day his number was retired in 2003, the ever-optimistic "old Cub" told the cheering Wrigley crowd, "This is my Hall of Fame!"

In 2004, Santo and his battle against diabetes was the subject of a documentary, This Old Cub. The film was written, co-produced, and directed by Santo's son, Jeff.

In Chicago, Santo is well-loved for his unabashed broadcast enthusiasm, which he reveals with groans and cheers during the game. He also possesses a charming sense of humor. During one game, in which Angel Echevarria was batting, Santo casually asked play-by-play broadcaster Pat Hughes, "Pat, do you believe in angels?" Ron also has been known to engage in discussions about his variety of toupees.

Stats

Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Uniform number: 10
MLB:
- MLB leader most seasons leading league in double plays for third basemen - 6 (tie with Mike Schmidt and Heine Groh)
- 9 Time All-Star
- 5 Time Gold Glove winner
National League Third Baseman leader in:
- Consecutive games (364)
- Most seasons leading league in putouts - 7
- Most seasons leading league in assists - 7
- Most seasons leading league in chances - 9

Career Hitting^[1]
G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2,243	8,143	2,254	365	67	342	1,138	1,331	35	1,108	1,343	.277	.362	.464	.826

External links

Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis

Baseball Hall of Fame candidate profile
BaseballLibrary.com - biography and career highlights
Baseball Almanac.com
Ron Santo Profiled at Al Yellon's Bleed Cubbie Blue, which named Santo the seventh-greatest living Cub
Articles examining Ron Santo's merits for Hall of Fame election:

[1] [2] [3]

Ron Santo on Wikipedia

Preceded by Dick Ellsworth	Major League Player of the Month June 1963	Succeeded by Willie McCovey
Preceded by Jim Bunning	Major League Player of the Month July 1964	Succeeded by Frank Robinson
Preceded by Ken Holtzman	Major League Player of the Month June 1969	Succeeded by Roberto Clemente
Preceded by Wes Parker	Lou Gehrig Memorial Award 1973	Succeeded by Willie Stargell