Friday, December 3, 2010

Ron Santo - Tough, Brave and Honest. RIP

Folks,

This is a tough one to write about. Ron Santo, the voice of the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team, has died. He was just 70 years old and had suffered from diabetes for years.

Here's what you can chat up:
+ He was a Cub though and through. A 3rd baseman considered one of the best during his prime, he had a lifetime batting average of .277, 342 home runs and 1331 runs batted in.
+ Regrettably, he never made it into the Hall of Fame, though he came close and probably should have been inducted.
+ He became an announcer with the club and was a admitted "homer" = openly rooting for his team. Listening to him on the radio made you feel like he lived and died with each pitch, hit, run and error. There were times you didn't know what was going on because Ronnie was so over the top because he was caught up in the moment. He just couldn't find the words to tell you what he was seeing!
+ That's passion. That's love. That's who the Cubs and the fans will miss this season. And the next. And the next.

Summer nights spent listening to Ron on the radio often elicited stories from friends of the kind things he did. It also provoked sadness, like in 1998 when it appeared the Cubs were headed to the World Series and the "Bartman Incident" occurred. I remember his near-wail like voice, "no, no, no, no." Another dream, like the Hall of Fame, denied.

For the love of Ron, post some of your favorite memories of him. Let's send him out knowing he was a beloved baseball man.


4 comments:

la said...

a friend of my mom was a young nun in the 60s. She loves sports and they would listen to all the Cubs game.

One little boy in her class kept getting in trouble and because he lived near Ron Santo (then the 3rd baseman), he'd get a signed photo for Sister every time he got in trouble.

After several of these "gifts" a young Santo showed up at the covent to meet the nun who was such a fan. She still beams when telling that story.

la said...

story #2...

Ron Santo walked out of the booth one night that we were in Wrigley celebrating my nephew's birthday (4 or 5 years old).

We said hi, and told him about Joey's big day. He immediately suggested a photo which is framed and hanging on Joey's wall now.

Ronnie Santo was not just a fan, he was a kind, kind man.

I will miss him a lot.

mity quinn said...

Hi La! Thanks for stopping by the BBQ and serving up those awesome stories about Ron. He was a very charitable man who cared a lot about others.

Keep coming back! the BBQ appreciates your input!

Unknown said...

One of my favorite things to do during the summer was listening to Ron and Pat doing the Cubs games. It was always fun listening to Pat ribbing Ron and his reaction to it. One of the great joys was being able to listen to them on XM where there was no interference and the signal is always clear. After hearing all of the radio teams, Ron and Pat were my clear cut favorites. Ron will definitely be missed by more than those fans in Chicago.

PS For some classic radio, listen to Rona and Pat discussing the Addams Family vs the Munsters. Epic stuff.