Ron Santo

[Chainmeister]

Ron passed away yesterday. I thought I would start a thread for him.  I am a Sox fan but was a big fan of Ron.  He was one of the best third baseman to play the game. There is no question he should be in the Hall of Fame.  He had good stats in an era dominated by pitching.  He was a gold glove fielder. 

As a broadcaster... well, he was passionate.I cringed and chuckled.   He knew baseball but rarely gave detailed analysis. Contrary to a guy like Steve Stone, Santo broadcast his feelings rather than his insight.  I remember being at the Greater Milwaukee Open a couple years ago.  At lunch I decided to listen to find out the score.  I never heard the score.  However, after listening to Ron for about 5 seconds I knew the Cubs were losing big.  He wore his heart on his sleeve.  He was one of those guys who made everybody happy.  His enthusiasm for baseball and its fans was infectious.  I will miss Ron Santo.  You don't have to be a Cubs fan to miss and respect the greatest of all Cubs fans.

[Tom McManus]

Well said. He was a great ambassador for the Cubs and for JD.

[Sr.]

Talk about a man who never gave up! Many would have thrown in the towel long ago. For him not to make the Hall of Fame is a insult to baseball. He played through illness and was a fierce competitor. He should have taken the place of a few Hall of Fame third basemans in there now.

[pdga#7648]

very well said David.
Personally I hated to listen to him, cause as you said, you knew who was winning just by him talking.
He will get to the HOF, but it might be as a broadcaster instead of a player, which like you said is wrong. He deserves to be in there now as a player.

But like you said, he was the BIGGEST Cubs fan ever. He loved his team and it showed daily.

Very sad day in Chicago.