RIP Ron Santo

[Ar-Pharazon]

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Nobody was more passionate (or aggravated) about their team, either as a player or a broadcaster.

I'll miss being able to turn the sound off on the TV and up on the radio to get the best of both worlds.

 

[SmoothieX]

Obviously it's sad to hear that he died.

But he was the absolute worst announcer I've ever heard. It's like listening to your half drunk over the top unobjcetive buddy who loses it after every pitch.

 

[Timby]

What a bummer. His endless self-promotion to try and get into the Hall of Fame over the last eight years or so got pretty tiresome (This Old Cub is rather shameless), but the Veterans Committee and the BBWAA can go fuck themselves for continually keeping him out, despite being one of the best third basemen of all time. "Bowie Kuhn, Fred Lindstrom, Jack Morris, come on in! Ron Santo, Bert Blyleven, Dale Murphy, Marvin Miller ... eh, piss off, losers." Proof that it's not a Hall of Fame so much as it is a 'Hall of Those Who Kissed Sportswriters' Asses Enough.'

In any event, there's no denying that Santo loved Chicago and the Cubs with every fiber of his being. It's a shame that he never got to see the Cubs win the World Series.

It'll be interesting to see who the Cubs select to replace him as the color commentator on WGN Radio. I imagine Pat Hughes (who, for the first time in years, will finally be able to stretch his wings and show that he's one of the best radio play-by-play guys in baseball) will have a great deal of input on the decision, but I hope to God that it's not Dave Otto.

 

[Franklin]

Obviously it's sad to hear that he died.

But he was the absolute worst announcer I've ever heard. It's like listening to your half drunk over the top unobjcetive buddy who loses it after every pitch.

This is true. But that just endeared him to so many because he was genuine and sincere. His heart was on his sleeve. Many times he was just saying, doing, and feeling the same things that the fans were saying, doing, and feeling at the same time. He was truly one of them.
By comparison, Harry Caray was a carpetbagger who came to the Cubs via St. Louis and the White Sox. I never liked Harry Caray. Something about him seemed unreal. Like he would've done his schtick anywhere for a pay check (and he did, after all). Santo was the real deal. The Cubs or nothing. If Ernie Banks is Mr. Cub, Ron Santo is Mr. Cub Fan.

It's a disgrace that he's not in the Hall of Fame. Inexcusable. I think he handled the snub about as well as anyone could've in his position. It's not easy to live as the Best Baseball Player Not In the Hall of Fame. Especially when it's only a cadre of dipshits that is keeping you out. He is somewhere on everyone's top ten all-time third basemen list, and the other nine are already Hall of Famers or will be for sure.

Now, if (when) he makes it, it will be a bittersweet day, not a grand celebratory one. He deserved to see his plaque on the wall. His fans still do.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Obviously it's sad to hear that he died.

But he was the absolute worst announcer I've ever heard. It's like listening to your half drunk over the top unobjcetive buddy who loses it after every pitch.

In other words, Harry Carey?

It's really a shame Ronnie didn't make the hall while he was alive, but I think he'll get there one day.

 

[Franklin]

Obviously it's sad to hear that he died.

But he was the absolute worst announcer I've ever heard. It's like listening to your half drunk over the top unobjcetive buddy who loses it after every pitch.

In other words, Harry Carey?

Perfect!

 

[Kirby]

RIP Mr. Santo.

 

[SmoothieX]

Kirby, I am absolutely in love with that Lab in your av.