Honoring Ron Santo

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 2:56 PM CST

With the passing of Santo, I began to think about how the Cubs would honor the legend. Some of the obvious ideas came to mind, statue outside the stadium , #10 patch on the uniforms, etc... While these things would be nice, I hope the Cubs come up with something different and unique to honor Santo. Santo was not only a great player, but meant so much more to the organization than his athletic abilities. He embodied what it meant to be a Cub, both on the field and off.

Here are a couple things I came up with, but I think the collective body of BCB can do a better job. Maybe the Cubs management will see this and take us up on some ideas.

- Have Pat Hughes announce opening day by himself to pay tribute to Santo...he has no replacement.

- Rename the Cubs press box the Ron Santo press box.

Thoughts?

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I kind of liked the idea ...

… that was mentioned in the comments — have the #10 on third base every day, and each one would be auctioned for the benefit of JDRF.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2010 2:58 PM CST reply actions 8 recs

That is a great idea.

Sorry I didn’t have time to read through all the comments.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

I support that completely.

Furthermore, have the Cubs 3rd baseman and the opposing teams 3rd baseman on that date sign the bag.

Sure, nobody might want to pay $2 for a game used Jeff Baker/Pedro Alvarez bag….but the bidding would be fierce for an ARam/ARod bag.

WWOZ.org - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station

by Gibbon Jockey on Dec 3, 2010 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

If they know it goes to JDRF...

…I bet it gets $100. Plus if it’s paying tribute to Ron, I wouldn’t care who signed it.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

This.

+1000

by MN exile on Dec 3, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

Nice!

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by daver on Dec 3, 2010 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

I'm rec'ing this. I really like it.

Sadly, there is a part of me that says the MLB wouldn’t allow it.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

Might be right...

…but if the media gets involved, and people really start fighting for it, I think they would give in.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 4, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Awesome idea!

Really good…. VERY good.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 4, 2010 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

Fantastic idea.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Dec 5, 2010 9:27 AM CST up reply actions

I like that idea also

Since it was mine. :)

by ZeoBandit on Dec 3, 2010 3:02 PM CST reply actions

Correction

My idea was for #10 to be on third base. Someone else added the auction for charity bit, which is a great addition.

by ZeoBandit on Dec 3, 2010 3:03 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for reposting.

I didn’t remember who posted it, but I love this idea.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

I like your idea of Hughes doing the first game solo.

by abba7 on Dec 3, 2010 3:22 PM CST reply actions

My husband asked me earlier

“who do you think will replace him?” and then we both agreed that no one could ever “replace” him. It’s a nice thought, but personally I think that would be a little too emotional to have Pat do the broadcast alone.

I just heard someone on WGN suggest that they rename Wrigley after Santo. As much as I love him, that seems over the top.

So far my favorite idea is the #10 patch.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 3, 2010 3:33 PM CST reply actions

Because it's already Wrigley Field...

…it seems silly to call it something like Santo Stadium at Wrigley Field.

Pat sounded okay on WGN this morning.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

Pat sounded like a man who had lost a dear friend...

…. but was reveling in the life he had lived and that he (Pat) had enjoyed every moment he had shared with Ron.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2010 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

Absolutely.

He didn’t sound great by any means, but he didn’t sound terrible either. The fact that he was able to talk about it this early in such a public way, makes me think he could do a game solo. But that’s just my guess.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 3, 2010 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

FWIW

The Brewers radio broadcast is more or less a solo booth. They have one guy doing both PBP and Color. Uecker and now Cory Provus switch every few innings. Hughes came from the Brewers to the Cubs and I have no doubt he’d do very well in a solo situation.

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2010 3:46 PM CST up reply actions

I have heard Pat solo once before.

He did great and would be fine, I have no doubt. I just think as a tribute that might be hard for the first game.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 3, 2010 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

I just hope they dont have a "guest" announce for every game ala the 7th inning stretch.

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 3, 2010 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

announce=announcer

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 3, 2010 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

ew-no

But you just reminded me. We won’t get to hear him do the 7th inning stretch anymore. He was my favorite. I was always hoping they’d do away with the guests and just let him do it.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 3, 2010 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

That was a missed opportunity.

Ron should have been Harry’s replacement from the start.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Dec 4, 2010 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

My sister & I had a similar conversation...

and quickly realized “replace” was the right word. We amended it to "who do you think might succeed him?’’

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain

by brook on Dec 3, 2010 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

I think it's too early to discuss this...

… let’s wait at least until after next week.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 4, 2010 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

Santo

I certainly think that having a Ron Santo day would be an appropriate thing. I’d not do it on opening day, but perhaps a bit into the season have a day where Ron’s family can throw out the first pitch, guests can come up to the booth, etc. I think it would be in Ron’s comical spirit if they could find someone to sponsor a special giveaway, a Cubs hat with fake toupee to the first 10,000 fans. Ron certainly never took himself too seriously and this would be a way to honor that.

I think one thing that should be recognized is that a lot of the things that are done for recently passed legends have been done by the Cubs during his life. I don’t mean to offend anyone but I think that people need to put things into perspective. I think that having a Santo day and even a #10 patch on the uni for the season would be a nice recognition of someone who broadcast for the team for the last two decades. They should definitely make part of fund-raising for JDRF a part of Santo’s memorial.

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2010 3:35 PM CST reply actions

Speaking of honoring Ron Santo...

WGN radio is doing a beautiful job celebrating his life.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 3, 2010 4:19 PM CST reply actions

I totally agree

I totally agree although I wish it was Spike this afternoon. Garry Meier is doing a good job but Spike really loved Ronnie.

Formerly known as cubstoseriesby100. Thanks Al for letting me change my outdated screenname.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 3, 2010 10:23 PM CST up reply actions

I also vote for Pat doing opening day solo

It might be considered pathetic….but I have some trepidation in listening to the first Spring Training broadcast. It’s going to hurt.

Really hurt.

WWOZ.org - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station

by Gibbon Jockey on Dec 3, 2010 4:26 PM CST reply actions

I'm with you.

I don’t think this is really going to sink in until I dial in my radio for the first broadcast and don’t hear Ron’s voice. I know it’s going to hit me then, and hit me hard.

"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.

by WindisBlowingOut! on Dec 3, 2010 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

right :(

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 3, 2010 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

Love the third base idea

Nice one, ZeoBandit! And kudos to whoever came up with the JDRF auction idea! I bet Ron would have given that his enthusiastic approval.

Yeah, I know there should be an apostrophe in "Vails," but punctuation wasn't an option when I signed up.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Dec 3, 2010 7:17 PM CST reply actions

Already submitted mine in the other thread...

Rename Balbo Drive Santo Drive.

Balbo was Italian fascist collaborator in 1920’s, Santo is italian descent, Chicagoan by association and much more worthy of the honor.

All of Chicago coiuld honor the man for his contributions to the city.

It's 106 miles to Chicago...

by BDR529 on Dec 3, 2010 7:22 PM CST reply actions

I like this, too.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2010 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

The best tribute

The best tribute of course the players could do is win the series next year for him.

I like the idea of Pat doing the first game solo.

The other ideas have all been great.

A patch or some sort of thing on the uniforms is a given.

I went by the park this evening on way to meet a friend for dinner. Went a little out of my way but it was therapuetic.

Even if they won’t let the Cubs put 10 on the third base perhaps autographing third base by some of the greats of the game, not even necessarily third baseman as they come through would be nice.

Formerly known as cubstoseriesby100. Thanks Al for letting me change my outdated screenname.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 3, 2010 10:21 PM CST reply actions

That 3rd base idea...

is so perfect someone needs to find some way for that to happen. With only 81 home games available I in all likelihood wouldn’t be able to win one, but you can be sure I’ll bid it up some just in case.

by CubFan81 on Dec 3, 2010 10:34 PM CST reply actions