Ron Santo

Ron Santo is my hero. I have never met Ron and I probably never will. That doesn't change the fact that I think the dude is an inspiration and someone to look up to. He doesn't know it but we have spent many afternoons and evenings together.

Ron Santo was, is, and always will be a Chicago Cub. Sure he had a season or two with another team, but he bleeds Cubby Blue. He had a Hall of Fame Worthy career as a player, has his number retired, and is the best color man on radio for my money.

Back in the day Ronnie was the 3rd baseman for the Chicago Cubs and he was the finest of his generation. Why isn't he in the Hall of Fame? Media people are stupid. I tried to find more eloquent wording there but sometimes you have to say it like it is. He did this all while dealing with diabetes. That might not sound like much now, but back in the day the medical community knew as much about diabetes as you will about cooties during elementary school. While you are fogging the area with invisible cans of "Cootie Spray" he was eating Snickers bars between innings trying to balance out his sugar levels. They didn't have the little blood sample kits, they didn't even know what the hell to look for if they did. They just knew that some people got all whacked out sometimes and a candy bar seemed like a good thing for it... Really. Science has come a long way. I will save you the statistical argument on the matter, but just know that when you stack him up against his contemporaries he was one of the best. If not the best. The whole time he managed a disease that could kill you with Snickers and a hunch.

After Ron left the field as a player he had to deal with a lifetime of managing diabetes with candy bars. He had both legs amputated, a bunch of other illnesses, and a generally rough go of things for quite awhile. Did he give up and feel sorry for himself? Hell no, he wouldn't be my hero if he had. He gave up a few limbs, got a sweet hair piece and returned to the booth.

Jack Brickhouse, Harrey Carrey, and even Pat Hughes get credit as being the voice of the Chicago Cubs. I wasn't around for Jack. Harrey was awesome, and I love Pat Hughes and even Steve Stone. To me there is only one voice of the Chicago Cubs. It's the voice of a former player, a current broadcaster, and the biggest Cub fan in the world. Ron Santo. You could cut out the sounds of the crowd, Pat's play by play, and just listen to Ronnie and know how the game is going. You don't need the count, the men on base, or anything else. The "Aw Geez" and "COME ON" from Santo says it all. My favorite two stories about Ron.

On night at Shea Stadium, the Met's old park, Ron got too close to the heater. His wig lit on fire. Everyone in the booth gave him shit all game. Ron was the happiest person in the world when Shea got torn down.

I was listening to a game one day when Ron says, "Aw geez! I just realized why the Cubs are playing so bad! They don't have a second basemen!"
Pat Hughes, "Well Ronnie, Mark DeRosa just went to grab his sunglasses, and here he comes back to second base."
Ron. "Aw Geez, Sorry."

Listening to a game with Ron Santo is like listening to a game with your Grandpa that just lives and dies with the team. I never had a grandpa like that, but I always pictured it that way. You will have an experience like that with your Grandpa Curt, except that he likes the Twins and you will always know that it's stupid that they have a DH.

Ron might not be in the Hall, but those of us that understand who is is and what he represents couldn't care less. Ron has his number retired by his team, and the hearts of millions of us that love listening to the game with him, and all those that had the joy to watch him. So really, who cares what a bunch of fat sports writers think?

Ron Santo- Hall of Famer in my book, and my hero. Watch This Old Cub and you will understand why.