Posted on 12/03/2010 5:04:00 AM PST by John W
Legendary Chicago Cubs player and broadcaster Ron Santo died Thursday night in Arizona. He was 70.
Friends of Santo's family said the North Side icon lapsed into a coma on Wednesday before dying Thursday. Santo died of complications from bladder cancer, WGN-AM 720 reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
RIP to a great third baseman.
Sad news. Considering the physical hurdles he had to overcome, his baseball career and even his length of life was remarkable.
Was he not a Type 1 diabetic?
Was he not a Type 1 diabetic?
I grew up on the north side of the city of Chicago and literally saw most of the games that Ron Santo played, most of the home games in person at Wrigley Field and most of the rest on TV over WGN. Along with Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Glenn Beckert, Santo was one of my Cub heroes. And as a student of baseball history, I would have to rank Santo among the top ten third basemen of all time (the most under-represented position in the Hall). He was that good, both offensively and defensively.
Yes. And he raised millions of dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which was the cause of Ronnie's life and I'm sure he would say was his greatest accomplishment.
THAT was a great Cub’s team. Good days there.
What a gentlemen he was to all the kids at spring training.
Growing up in Bloomington IL, I loved Santo, Banks and Beckert. The only thing is, that we moved to StL and I saw the light! Now I am a Cards fan but those three will always be in my heart.
From a St. Louis Cardinals fan, I send my condolences to the Santo family and all the Cubs fans.
RIP Ron
RIP Ron. You’ll be missed. A great player and fine guy.
I saw Mr. Santo play at the very first MLB game I attended, age 11 in 1969. It was at Shea, and in spite of a valiant Cub effort, “Steady” Eddie Kranepool won the game in the 9th, with a walk off hit.
Thanks for being a great competitor, hope your heels are now clicking in heaven. Rest in Peace.
Life long Cub fan and I have a tear...
Bless you Ron and your family...
My 16 year old was diagnosed at the age of 9. Santo has been an inspiration to us, especially living to the age of 70 through an era of such little knowledge, understanding, and medical treatment and technology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Santo
“In the early years of his playing career, he carefully concealed the fact that he had type 1 diabetes. He feared that if this information were to become known, he would be forced into retirement. Because the methods of regulating diabetes in the 1970s were not as advanced as they are today, Santo gauged his blood sugar levels based on his moods.[35] If he felt his blood sugar was low, he would snack on a candy bar in the clubhouse.[35]”
“As part of the publicity surrounding “Ron Santo Day” at Wrigley Field on August 28, 1971, he revealed his struggle with diabetes. He was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 18, and was given a life expectancy of 25 years. Santo has had both his legs amputated below the knee as a result of his diabetes: the right in 2001 and the left in 2002. Santo shares a bond in this respect with 2008 Cub rookie Sam Fuld, who also suffers from type 1 diabetes.[36] In 2004, Santo and his battle against diabetes was the subject of a documentary, This Old Cub. The film was written, co-produced and directed by Santo’s son Jeff.”
Life long Phillies fan who grew up watching Ron. He was the best in his day and in my opinion deserves to be in the HOF. Seemed to be a classy guy too. Condolences to his family and loyal Cubbies fans. He will be sorely missed.
And the Hall of Fame voters will continue to screw over a man long deserving of enshrinement. RIP Ron. A fierce competitor, great ballplayer, and total gentlemen to the fans - especially the kids.
RIP.
Thanks for the ping Charles.
This Cardinal fan is sorry for the death of Ron Santo. Prayers for his family and fans.
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