Cubs Legend Ron Santo Dies At 70

Pretty much cried the entire 20-mile drive into work. I feel about as bad as I did the days Sweetness died 11/1/99 and Maggie died 12/15/03.

I was so sure that Ron will be with us long enough to see him elected to the HoF, and to finally watch a Cubs champion…..I guess God had other plans.

Ron is one of the reasons I became a Cubs fan. I’ll always cherish him.

RIP #10

I feel like I have lost a grandfather. I’ve only met him once but I feel like I knew him personally, because of all the times I listened to his voice alongside Pat Hughes. Whether I was listening in the car, turning the radio on and muting the TV volume, sneaking my AM radio around in class during April and May, or inviting him and Pat into my room while the Cubs were in extra innings on the West Coast and my parents had sent me to bed hours ago.

I am only 19 years old and never saw him in his playing days, but Ron and Pat symbolized Summer to me more than anything else. Ron Santo was the perfect Cubs fan, and if I grow up to be half the man he was, I’ll know my life was a success. RIP Ron.

Nobody ever played the game of baseball harder and with more passion than Ron Santo did for the Chicago Cubs. Rest in Peace Sir.

My heart just broke. Condolences to Ron’s family. Will watch This Old Cub tonight if I can get through the tears.

Not many people can go through as much adversity as he did and still have a positive attitude. It sounds like a platitude, but that attitude really is inspirational.

However,
On Al’s comments regarding the HoF — clearly he should have been voted in by the writers, but I still would like to see him voted in. I suspect it would still mean something to his family, and his career should be honored. I do agree that the voters should be ashamed . . . I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again — name 10 3B that were better. Most can get to 6, maybe 8 pretty quickly. It’s tough to get to 10.

At any rate, now he’s in THE Hall of Fame.

Saw this on the ESPN crawl this morning and just couldn’t believe it. Al you are 100% correct that the HOF voters should be ashamed of themselves for not inducting Ronnie.

Rest in Peace.

this morning and always check BCB first thing.
 This is sad news. What a great man and a great Cub. To batlle the illnessness that he indured and to do it with class.
 I agree with you Al. The HOF members should be ashamed for excluding him from the Hall of Fame.
 Rest in Peace Ronnie, you deserve it.

Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and fans. I will always miss his sincerity in the booth.

You were the definition of a true Cub!

Hearing Ron Santo on the radio was one of the highlights to my trip to Chicago last summer.

 Thanks for bringing me back to the game which my mother loved. I’m going to miss hearing you on the radio.

He was one hell of a ballplayer, but an even better man. After watching “This Old Cub”, one’s perspective on the arbitrary things in life definitely changes. He was an inspiration to us all and did so many good things with his time on Earth. He’ll ALWAYS be a Hall of Fame player in Cub fans eyes. I can’t imagine turning on the Cubs in the car this summer and not hear Ron’s voice. He was the biggest Cub fan of us all. RIP #10. You were one of the “good one’s.”

I’m just in shock right now.

Everyone who knows me knows how much Ronnie means to me.

Cub fans, the Cubs, WGN Radio and major league baseball lost a wonderful man.

I know people in the diabetes community and the impact he has had is even beyond what most of us have heard. Even internationally. I have a good friend in Australia who is the head nurse of a diabetes clinic and the head of the clinic found out she had a friend who’s a big Cubs fan and she was visiting Chicago and even on the other side of the world he knows the amount of awareness and money Ron has raised.

I would like to put my foot up the ass of every Hall of Fame voter who did not vote for him.
Bunch of pompus idiots!

RIP Ronnie! You represented all there is to know about being a Cub fan!

Great player, Great fan, Great guy!

I just found out, this is a sad day for baseball. Cubs games will never be the same. RIP Ron.

I think we all knew this day would come, but hoped it wouldn’t be for at least another 25 years or so. Santo was my mom’s favorite Cub. She passed away in 2001, but attended a spring training game in the mid-90’s and tracked down Harry Caray, Steve Stone and Ronny for autographs. For her it was like meeting Elvis, The Pope and Michael Jackson all in one day. RIP Mr. Ron Santo – Cubs fans will NEVER forget you…

Ron made listening to games on the radio fun. He and Pat were a great team. The HOF should be ashamed. My #10 jersey will be worn with fond memories and admiration. I will miss you big fella. A sad day for all cubs fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjespGPhoMw

Also listening to “Angel” and “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLaughlin.

He was always the rock in the center of it all when things went crazy with the team.

Also a poem I always find comforting

Sadly Hollow
Prayer of the Makah Indians

Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there…I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am a diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star shine at night
Do not stand by my grave and cry…
I am not there…I did not die.

He is always going to be with us and a part of the Cubs.

Saw this first thing after I woke up this morning. The 69 Cubs were around the time that I was really old enough to follow baseball. He left us with a lot of great memories. He will be missed. RIP Ron…

where your body literally slumps and you fall back in your chair. I suppose it should have been expected at some point, with all of his issues, but this tears me apart.

I am filled with sadness and rage. Rage that the 2003 or 2008 teams didn’t at least go to the World Series so Ron could see it while he was alive.

And rage for the Hall of Fame. I will never again set foot in that building. A bunch of selfish, bitter old men kept him out.

He will get inducted. Of this I’m sure. And I hope his family boycotts and says, “The time to do this was when he was alive.”

Ron would not want me so angry. Of this I’m sure. But I must shout so I do not cry.

Here goes any good mood I had about today.

I liked Ron Santo for all his enthusiasm, and this will be missed. What makes me saddest is that he never got to see the Cubs win the World Series, or he never was elected to the baseball hall of fame.

At least, Ron’s in a place where the Cubs win every day, especially in October, and he is also in the hall of fame. Maybe he can meet my grandfather and have a cigar while watching the Cubs beat the Cardinals.

I’m fighting back tears now.

May God Bless you Ron Santo

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Losing Ron is like losing a great friend. I’m gutted. I hadn’t cried in a long time. I’m so sorry he could never see them win it all. I’m so sorry he had to endure so much hardship and pain. I’m so sorry we’re never going to say it all with a “gee whiz.”

Even though I never got to see you play, you will always be my favorite Cub. Afternoons and evenings during the season will no longer be the same without you in the broadcast booth.

I’m absolutely stunned here at the office this morning…a lot of sadness and a bit of anger too, something I probably shouldn’t be, as Ron was pure class and an example to all of the Cubs and all Cub fans with how well he handled everything ever thrown at him.

God bless you, Ron Santo.

I can’t get to the one pic I have on file of him and Kerry drenched in champagne when they took the division a few years ago, the one of him kissing Kerry .. but this one will have to do ..

I’m at work, defying the rules, and posting from my desktop, but this was such a saddening thing .. my brother just texted me. Loss is a part of life, and it’s never easy.

We mourn because Ron was one of us. He was always one of our heroes, an all time Cubs great, but he was always one of us.

I loved hearing him on the radio any chance I could and the last recording I have of him singing TMOTTBG in Wrigley will be forever special.

A universe of emptiness has opened in the Santo household. God bless them all, may His Spirit bring consolation and healing in this time of loss

Every day will forever be Ron Santo day for us.

Like Ronnie, I never give up!

Third was also a perennial home for Ron. He ruled the hot corner!

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/10/22/1060006/lambs-of-the-summer-shepherd-my

But part of me is really angry too. Angry at the cubs for not winning a WS for Ron. Angry at the HOF for not electing Ron. He truly deserved better. RIP Ron the world needs more people like you.

Rest in Peace Mr Santo

and I never saw the guy play. His true passion and dedication to the team in his latter years really cemented his place in Cubs history. He’ll be missed; hell I don’t even know him but I miss him, that’s how much of an effect he had on this team.

I just wish he could have had the HoF or a WS experience, but I think he was probably really happy with his number being retired

The news hit like a ton of bricks. Ron embodied every Cubs fan up in that booth, his passion for the Cubs, and life, will be missed.

Ronnie you will be missed.

I can’t imagine listening to the games on the radio will ever be the same.

I read the news on my Facebook wall and burst into tears. My husband thought someone in the family had died.

Someone in the family did….Ronnie was a member of the family from April to October every year.

We will miss you Ronnie…..

I seriously cried on the way to work listening to WGN. It might sound silly, but I seriously feel like I lost a friend. For a good portion of my childhood I was unable to watch the games on TV and listened to Ronnie on the radio. Between that and always listening to the games at work or while driving, I seriously feel like Ron and Pat are people I know, despite never meeting them. RIP Ron Santo, you will truely be missed!

Ronnie will be missed. Cubs baseball won’t be the same without him…thankful that the players and organization have it figured out, even if Cooperstown doesn’t.

…as long as there is the Chicago Cubs, there will be memories of you. You and the Cubs are one. You are the spirit of everything Cubs, and I will miss your never ending love and enthusiasm for our beloved.

Cheers, Ronnie. Rest in peace.

You made staring at a brick wall for hours at a time a heckuva lot easier for me. It’s not going to be the same out on Waveland next year. Not at all…

You were a great player and an even better human being. Ron, you will be missed by all.

may you eternally rest in your Hall of Fame. There will be a void on the radio alongside Pat that noone can fill. Your passion and exuberance played well with Pat’s smooth demeanor. I never got to see you play but from what I have seen you were a great, here is to hoping that you never get into the HoF now, per your wishes. I raise a cold Old Style in your name.

This too shall pass and we’ll all remember the good times. Best wishes to his family.

There are no words.

Games will be different without your commentary.

found this picture on twitter… i’ll miss you ronny!

RIP, Ron. We’ll miss you, partner.

I never saw him play, but after Harry Caray, his voice will always be synonymous with my childhood.

One of my favorite Ron Santo memories: the Cubs were playing Milwaukee and there was a player that was particularly nasty (I forgot who he was talking about specifically). Ron was muttering to himself, and probably forgot to click the mute button, when he said, “Well, he’s no trip to Hollywood.”

To this day, my wife and I still crack up over that and call any unpleasant person or situation “no trip to Hollywood.”

http://www.windycitizen.com/chicago/cubs/2009/06/06/get-ron-bronzed-raise-a-statue-for-ron-santo

"My siblings and I first knew Ron Santo as fans, listening to him in the broadcast booth," said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. "We knew him for his passion, his loyalty, his great personal courage and his tremendous sense of humor. It was our great honor to get to know him personally in our first year as owners.

"Ronnie will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans. Our thoughts and prayers today are with his wife Vicki and their family and we share with fans across the globe in mourning the loss of our team’s number one fan and one of the greatest third basemen to ever play the game.

"As a nine-time All-Star, a five-time Gold Glove winner, Ronnie was one of the best Cubs ever and a Hall of Famer in our book.

"Since he retired he was a powerful spokesperson for Juvenile Diabetes Research. For the last 21 years, his love for baseball and passion for the Cubs was felt in every one of his broadcasts.

"In the days and seasons ahead, we will honor Ron and celebrate all he has meant to our team and our fans. Ron’s number 10 will always be close to our hearts and Ron will forever be a member of the Cubs family."

This is a terrible loss, not only for the Cubs, but all of baseball, as the comments here so clearly demonstrate. Next season just won’t feel the same somehow.

always reinforced to me that baseball is a game. The passion, imperfection, exuberance, love, and humor that he shared with Pat and listeners are what sports should be- fun. He was a genuine Cub.

Rest in peace Ron

Ronny was a Cub through and through. He will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace.

a real tough year. In my mind Ron Santo will always be a Hall of Famer. Rest easy Ronnie.

to send to the veterans committee to NOT vote Ronnie into the HoF

… I’ll be changing the photo on this post so we can all see various pictures of Ron.

Always tough to lose the legends. RIP.

Such a good guy, a giving man, and a great ballplayer. True Cubs Blue. You’ll be missed.

Two summers ago I made my first trip to the HOF and it was very cool. In an act of mild civil disobedience, I brought with me a printed analysis that I found on why Ron Santo is deserving to be in the Hall. This article was well researched, compared him to the rest of the 3Bs in the Hall and it was pretty evident he should be in. Btw, 3rd base is the least represented everyday position in the Hall.

When I got to the Placque Gallary, I left the analysis right where his placque should go for the next induction class. I sometimes wonder if other fans do the same and the back offices of the Hall are flooded with Santo pleas.

While Ron might not get in the baseball HOF, he’ll be in my family’s Hall. A few years back I bought the Santo pennant that flew from the Wrigley rooftop from a Cubs garage sale. The next spring, I tracked him down at spring training and got to spend five minutes with him. He was really the nicest guy you could meet. I always knew I was going to frame his pennant and make it the headboard for a future son. Now that I have a 14 month old boy, it’s time to get that project started.

I love listening to Cubs baseball on WGN, and Ron Santo was a big part of it. I know he wasn’t the greatest color guy in the definition, but sometimes (especially in a bad blowout loss), I don’t want to hear about baseball because I’m physically sick with what’s going on. The Pat and Ron Highlight Reel on the Nick D on WGN during the weekends was great for this reason. He made me laugh, he made me cry, he even got me a date to junior prom in 03. I, along with others, will miss Ron Santo terribly.

And one of the last things I wanted to see when I woke up. I’m not old enough to cherish his playing days, and I take your word that he should have been in the Hall of Fame based on his statistical achievements. But put me in the camp of people that think it’s a Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Statistics. I can’t imagine many former players still mean as much to an entire organization and its fanbase as Ron still does (I refuse to use the past tense. His voice may be gone from the booth, but he’s still the Cubs’ biggest fan). I, too, hope they honor his wish of not admitting him posthumously.

$10 for #10 to JDRF is a no-brainer. Maybe you can put up something on this day each year, Al, remembering Ron and giving us all a reminder to give to JDRF in his honor. I see no reason not to donate each year.

RIP.

then Ron Santo is the heart.

Godspeed Ron.

$10 for #10. Keep it going

I’m a long-time Cardinals fan, but I lived in southern Indiana for a while and the only baseball I could get on the radio was Cubs games. Ron took some getting used to for me, but I gradually came to really enjoy him. He certainly wore his heart on his sleeve and loved his team as much as any announcer I’ve ever heard, and never seemed like anything less than a genuinely nice guy. RIP.

Tragic he never saw a Cubs World Series or his induction to the Hall of Fame. Hopefully both happen in short time.

But he knew how much we all cared for him. And HOF or not that was all that really mattered. At the end of the game he won.

I bet I heard parts of over 1,000 games on the radio with Ron….. and that is conservative. I do not envy WGN radio is hiring a replacement for Ron.

Let’s also not forget Pat Hughes. I think those two were great friends and it showed. His loss has to be devastating. That first spring training broadcast will be tough on Pat.

Ron was autographing (for free I might add) items at a store in Old Orchard. I handed him a ball but he didn’t want to sign it. It had Billy Williams autograph on the sweet spot. He told me that the ball had a Hall of Famer on it and why would I want his signature on it. I insisted that he is a HOFer then he signed the ball. That ball has been signed by Banks and Jenkins. ALL of the 1969 Hall of Famers.

You are exactly what makes me proud to be a Cub fan. A true picture of loyalty and faith. I know that someday this organization will bring you a world championship. It is never too late Ron…thanks for everything you have done for many generations of Cub fans. You were a great man. Condolences to the Santo family.

Hall Schmall.

Pardon me… this news SUCKS. This news absolutely SUCKS. This is the WORST news I’ve heard ALL YEAR.

R.I.P., Mr. Santo. You will be VERY VERY missed.

You were a treat to listen to. Your passion for Cubs baseball will never be matched. Summers will never be the same. Godspeed #10, you will truly be missed.

Seems like the perfect definition of a Cubs fan.

When I was a kid Ron Santo was my hero. I saw him play innumerable games, … saw him hit the HR in Holtzman’s no-hitter, saw him hit HR at Ron Santo day … But, as memorable as those plays where, and as impressive as his HOF stats are, what I will treasure is the passion … clicking his heels, arguing a call, hating the Mets, throwing his helmet, diving for a ball, …

Ron wanted three things he never lived to see,

    A cure for diabetes

    A Cubs WS

    HOF

I hope I can be around to see all three achieved -- soon!

… think I’ll have a pizza tonight.

IIRC that show made me cry when I heard it before.

If anyone hears of any other shows about him anywhere please let us know.

Cardinals fan here… Just wanted to convey how sad I was hearing the news on “Mike and Mike” this morning on my way to work. My wife is a Cubs fan and so I get a healthy dose of Cubs games each year. I really enjoyed Ron Santo, especially during a tough loss ;) (J/K), and I will definitly miss him. I remember how upset I was when Jack Buck passed away so I know how tough this can be. If you listen to the games on the radio (like I do) these guys become part of your life, especially guys like Santo.

I always said that my dream would have been to hear Mike Shannon and Ron Santo in the booth together for a Cubs/Cardinals game. I made it a point to listen to the post game show (after a Cards/Cubs game in St. Louis) whenever Mike Shannon would spend a few hours with Santo shooting the bull and always enjoyed it immensely.

My condolences to a great Cub and a baseball friend. R.I.P. Ron

Cancer is no joke, don’t increase your chances, it’s not worth it.

RIP Ron

WGN radio as you can expect is doing a good tribute now. Pat Hughes will be on in this hour.

Don’t know how long it will be going on.

When I must be going for a little while, do not cry or shed wild tears or hold your sorrows to you through the years. Go on faithfully in my name for my sake and do all things just the same.

I have no idea where that’s from. It was on the show Guiding Light when longtime star Charita Bauer died.

Along with many other old-timers here, watching Ronnie play, he became our favorite. Met him several times, as he made quite a few appearances here in Springfield, Il. Most genuine guy I ever met. If the bozos on the Hall committee finally vote him in, the ceremony will be one of the most bittersweet events ever. My boyhood hero is gone, and like another poster here said so well, another part of my childhood has left.

For my friends who grew up on Ron Santo, hang in there and think of happy times that Ron Santo gave you.

Rest in Peace, Ron Santo

Shocked and saddened to hear of the news of Ronnie’s passing. Somehow I just had this bad feeling when Pat and Ron signed off of their last broadcast together that it was going to be the last time I’d hear Ron in the booth. Just a sad, sad day.

I followed the lead of some of you here and made a donation in Ronnie’s honor to JDRF. It has helped to ease the pain and I know it’s what Ron would have wanted.

So tonight after work I’m gonna go home, put on my #10 jersey, crack an Old Style, pop This Old Cub into the DVD player and cry like a baby.

Rest in Peace, Ron Santo, #10 CubsHOF

Ron Santo: " I know I’m optimistic every year. I don’t know what I would do. I really don’t know. I sure hope it happens before I leave this earth, that’s for sure."

Is there any doubt that he’ll be there when they win?

My thoughts and prayers are with Ron’s family. May he rest in peace.

Summer’s just won’t be the same without Pat and Ron on the radio. I will miss Ron’s unique perspective on the game and life. I’m comforted in the fact that he will live on in the hearts of us all.

“When I got here, two years after my senior year, I’m walking out of the corner clubhouse with Ernie Banks and there’s nobody in the stands, and the feeling I had was unbelievable — walking with Ernie and walking on that grass. I felt like I was walking on air. There was an electricity and an atmosphere that I’d never experienced in my life. Any ballplayer that’s ever played here can tell you about that great atmosphere, and anybody who’s come here to watch a game feels the exact same way.”

….thewisdomofronsanto…

Rest In Peace #10

God bless you, Ron.

Steve Larson
Cupertino, CA

about Ron and how all of us Cub fans were blessed to have seen, heard or talked to him.

Listening to the internet stream of Pat and Ron’s broadcasts helped me be “there”, back at Wrigley, feeling the sunshine and the joy of watching the Cubs at home. Not being able to hear Ronnie’s groans or exclamations ever again will take a long time getting used to.

He may not have been Mr.Cub, but I feel he was the most loved by the fans.

I will miss him deeply…

and + 1000 for your article, Al. He was the real deal. In an age of selfishness and hypocrisy, he was an island: an authentic human being without an ounce of pretension. He has been part of our die-hard Cub fan family since the get go in 1961, and the grief I feel is truly family-like. I can’t imagine how hard it will be to tune in to 720 next spring. What a man.

Thanks for showing us what it means to be a Cub fan.