Grace for Santo?

by sandbergformanager on Dec 10, 2005 6:34 PM CST

Could Ron Santo be on his way out for another Cubs legend?

I have heard rumors that Ron Santo will be let go as the Cubs radio color man in favor of Mark Grace. I like Grace but I have always loved Santo. I know he's a below average broadcaster but he is the symbol of every Cub fans feeling during a game.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Oh, lord, save us....

... have you ever heard Grace's broadcasting?

He's terrible. Awful. The worst. He ought to try coaching/managing.

If Santo is "let go" -- and I cannot see that happening, popular as he is and what he means to the franchise -- I'd choose Randy Hundley or Bob Dernier first.

Finally, where did you hear this? I have heard nothing of this.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 6:39 PM CST reply actions

Can there be

anyone worse than McCarver or Morgan? I don't think so, Grace must be a slice above those two buffoons.

by csb059 on Dec 10, 2005 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

I can think of one

who is worse than those two. Does anybody remember when Joe Carter did Cub games a few years ago. I would say his grasp of the english language is worse than Morgan's.

by zjb600 on Dec 11, 2005 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Joe Morgan has a great grasp on the English lang..

he just doesn't have any sort of grasp on the concept of "common sense".

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" -Homer J. Simpson

by Whitebacon on Dec 12, 2005 5:07 AM CST up reply actions

I've grown quite fond of Ronny...

Despite his abundant vocabulary blunders and odd comments, I enjoy tuning in while at work to hear him and Pat go back and forth. What would Pat be without his uncanny knack for ignoring Ronny's on air mistakes? I do like Bobby Dernier though.

C'mon now...anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 10, 2005 6:46 PM CST reply actions

Trust Al's words...

Grace is HORRIBLE. Thom Brennaman has to embarrased to be in the same booth with him. To watch some of the D-Backs games on the MLB package....oh my! The games, especially when the D Backs are losing slip into unprofessionalism -- Grace lowers Brennaman's game considerably.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 10, 2005 7:01 PM CST reply actions

And I...

... can't stand the smarmy Brennaman, who is so full of himself it's surprising the booth can even hold two people when he's in it.

Grace & Brennaman make me watch D'backs games (when they are on MLB Extra Innings) with the sound off.

by Al Yellon on Dec 11, 2005 4:44 AM CST up reply actions

I really liked

Chip Caray. I thought he was hilarious. And I thought Steve Stone was really insightful.

It just seems wrong to have Bob Brenley on these broadcasts. He was never a Cubs fan before!

Bring back Chip! Or else get Rondell White/ Kenny Lofton to broadcast AND play RF (sorry again... can't help it)

by nickler on Dec 10, 2005 7:03 PM CST reply actions

This is Brenley's....

....second stint broadcasting Cub games. He used to be on WGN radio.

by BeerCub on Dec 10, 2005 7:50 PM CST up reply actions

I hope not.

It's Santo's rantings, mumblings, and passion for the game that keep me tuning in on 'GN. He brings the Harry factor to the booth where he says whatever is on top of his mind, even if it has no point. It would be a shame for WGN to break up a very good broadcast team the year after breaking up a duo that was beginning to jell in Chip and Stoney.

OTOH, I have heard rumors that Santo will only broadcast home games next year.

I need a new sig line now that the Cubs season has mercifully drawn to a close. Shoot, they may even render my user name irrelevant next year.

by CherryPoppinCubbies on Dec 10, 2005 7:27 PM CST reply actions

I love Ronnie...

because he is like having a fan doing the broadcast. He shows his feelings and if the Cubs do something good or bad it is always similar to how I feel. I like him, and he is a reasons I really want the Cubs to win. I can't wait to hear what he says when they win the whole thing.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 10, 2005 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

It will be a dark day in Mudville

when Santo and Hughes are no longer broadcasting together on AM 720. Hughes turned down an offer to do the TV broadcast to stay with Santo and I applauded him. To me, they're the voice (and heart!) of Cub baseball. Bad jokes, mumbling, rambling stories and all.

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 7:53 PM CST reply actions

One of the...

...best things about the tandem of Ron and Pat is when the Cubs are losing big and they just kick up the comedy keeping people tuned in. I don't see WGN letting Ron go. I can only see a situation where Ron leaves at his own at his discretion.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 10, 2005 8:29 PM CST reply actions

I doubt it

Grace is bad and he burned a ton of bridges here when he left. Ronny is beloved and they'd never fire him, but he might quit if his health was too bad. But I doubt they'd get Grace after all the shots he took at Cub management.

I think whoever told you this got bad info.

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Dec 10, 2005 8:49 PM CST reply actions

Replace Santo With Anybody (except Joe Carter...

... and Joe Morgan, and Tim McCarver.)

I know it takes all kinds, and I know I am in the minority, but Santo drives me crazy. Somebody said earlier that he shows how he feels. The problem is that it is not the announcer's job to do that. Sure, a guy can be a homer, or make a call with disappointment in his voice, but to moan and groan and sound like your dog just died or you just got kicked in the privates is taking it a bit too far.

On top of that, he provides little insight into the game.

To compare him to Harry is an injustice to Harry. Yes he was a homer, and yes he did some of the very things that I complained that Santo does. Yet I didn't mind when Harry did it and hate it when Santo does it. I don't know why.

That said, I would rather suffer through Santo than ever have to listen to Joe "I remember when I played..." Morgan, Joe "I hit a homer to win a world series..." Carter, Tim "I never had a prime as a player or an announcer" McCarver, or any one of a dozen guys like Milo Hamilton (Astros) or Ted Leitner (Padres).

Bring back Sutcliffe.

Corey Patterson, please go be potentially good somewhere else.

by Ross on Dec 10, 2005 9:23 PM CST reply actions

It may not be...

his job to show how he feels, but I think that is great because I can relate to it. He says everything I wish I could say on the air for me. Everyone has different opinions on different people.

Sutcliffe is great I love to listen to him. But I don't think he wants the job.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 10, 2005 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

He is not...

...broadcasting for espn or fox game of the week, where announcers are supposed to be impartial. We tune in to WGN radio knowing that we are getting the home town announcers. I for one like having an announcer that wants to have the team winning as badly (if not more) as I do. Ronny should have a bias in his voice. If you don't like to hear his passion for the game, don't listen. Ronny is a Cub legend and I will be sad when he is no longer on the radio.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on Dec 11, 2005 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

There is a difference...

... between being impartial, and being a color commentator who actually adds something to the baseball knowledge of the listener.

Frankly, I'd rather have an analyst who talked about strategy, about the game, etc. on the radio, particularly since you can't see what's going on and you are dependent on those voices to describe the action for you.

That said, I know a lot of people love Santo for just who he is, and I won't criticize that. There's no question that he loves the game and loves the Cubs.

by Al Yellon on Dec 12, 2005 4:17 AM CST up reply actions

The Cubs

ought to pay extra to bring Matt Vasgergian and Sutcliffe to take over the booth. We would forget Steve Stone quickly (and for good measure). I know it will never happen, but those guys are an absolute joy to listen to. I love the MLB Extra Inning package.

by socalbob on Dec 13, 2005 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

You've got to be kidding...

... I like Sutcliffe, but Vasgersian is horrid. Worse than Thom Brennaman, and THAT is bad.

by Al Yellon on Dec 16, 2005 4:39 AM CST up reply actions

Ronnie must stay

Ron and Pat on the radio are like old friends. I could not listen to anyone else. I'm one who turns the TV sound off just to listen to the attendance game, Ron and his hair piece,Pat's great eye sight, and Ronnie groaning my pain on the air when the Cubs make mistakes. Ron is the best. I want to be listening to Ron when we win it all.

by mrcubsfan on Dec 11, 2005 8:06 AM CST reply actions

I agree 100%

When I get down and bummed out about my Cubbies, I just pop in my copy of This Old Cub and Ronnie helps me remember why I love this team and renews my faith that they WILL win it all.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on Dec 11, 2005 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

Santo is a great announcer

He may not be a perfect example of a hall of fame baseball announcer but that is why he has Pat. Pat could do the games by himself Vin Scully style and be great but with Ron there to keep things lighter than a 100% "professional" announcer he makes the game more enjoyable to listen to and that makes him a great announcer. Try listening to a more dry by the book announcer when the game is a blowout and then compare that to when Pat and Ron are giggling about one of their many running jokes or just teasing each other.

It makes the radio in chicago head and shoulders more interesting to listen to than any other basball broadcaster(s) currently working.

by JonH on Dec 12, 2005 12:49 AM CST up reply actions