One More Heel Click To That Old Cub

Sad news came from Chicago early Friday morning. Former Cubs great and current Cubs broadcaster, Ron Santo, passed away at the age of 70. During the 50's and 60's, Santo was one of the games best. Santo was a good hitting and good fielding third baseman who made nine All Star teams during his 15 year career and won five Gold Gloves. Diabetic issues forced Santo's career to be cut short. In 1990 Santo became the analyst for WGN Radio and he was a constant in the booth as long as health would permit.

As a baseball fan growing up in a limited TV market, I watched plenty of Cubs baseball. Though they weren't my favorite team they always had a soft spot in my heart. One of my bucket list items was a trip to Wrigley Field. About 10 years ago I was able to check the trip to Wrigley off the list and from the moment I stepped into those hallowed grounds my heart belonged to the Cubs. By this time I had already known about the history of Cubs baseball from the 80's on. Harry Carry had given me more life lessons than my father and outside of my grandmother no one at that point in my life had given me more instruction than Steve Stone. I knew of the 84 Playoff meltdown, I lived through the 89' "Wild Bunch", It seems as though I watched every AB of the Dawson MVP season for the last place Cubs of 88. And of course Dunston to Sandberg to Grace meant more to me than Tinker to Evers to Chance. I wanted to embrace everything about the Cubs even if it meant all those lonely years since 1908.

It seemed as though every Cubs History Book contained a large section on Ron Santo. I was familiar with Santo. I knew he was a big contributor for the Cubs during their 69 season. I knew he was a borderline Hall of Famer who had not yet broken through. I also knew that Santo was a huge Cub fan as he would often drop by the WGN broadcast and seem to live and die with every pitch. The more I read on Santo the more I appreciated him. His battle with diabetes was unknown to most teammates and coaches yet even through the pain he was a All Star performer. Teammates raved about his leadership and it seemed to me that Santo and not Banks or Williams was the leader of that great Cubs team of 69. In 04 Santo was the focus of a documentary titled, This Old Cub, which was directed by his son Jeff. The documentary chronicled Santo's playing days into the broadcasting booth and his pursuit of the Hall Of Fame all the while bringing the complications from diabetes to the forefront. I encourage anyone who has not seen it to take some time out of their day and watch it.

About four years ago I wanted to live a season through Ron Santo. So instead of purchasing the MLB package on TV, I chose to pay for the online radio broadcast. That summer was spent listening to Pat Hughes and Ron Santo. I would come home from work crack open a cold one and listen to Pat Hughes calm demeanor attempting to neutralize Ron Santo's extreme emotions. Santo was a fan first and foremost, broadcasting integrity be damned. Santo would voice his displeasure openly if Ramirez booted a ball at third, likely screaming NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! However Santo's cheers would be the loudest in the house if the Cubs hit a walkoff homer in the 9th. I can hear it now....YES...YES...YES...YES...Ramirez got a fastball...YES...YES...he could....YES...YES...hand-YES...YES...YES..le. Santo acted as if every game was the 7th game of the World Series and to him I truly believe they were.

Santo wasn't the best commentator just as he wasn't the best baseball player. Santo's passion in the booth however will never be matched and his status as a legend of the game can never be taken away with or without the Hall Of Fame. I know what the Hall Of Fame meant to Santo so for his sake I hope one day his name will appear among the other legends. If it doesn't happen I'm sure I can speak for the millions of Cubs and Baseball fans alike when I say Ron Santo's contributions to the game of baseball can only be rivaled by his passion for the game and he will forever be a Hall Of Famer in my book. I will never forget that summer spent listening to Santo just as I will never forget the big smiles, the jubilation of a big win and the agonizing groan of one that got away. As I exit down the third base line, I give one more heel click to that Old Cub.