Ron Santo Dead at 70

[BCVM22]

For those who missed it, it looks like WGNradio.com has a lot of it archived already. I'm sure the city's other outlets will have their share of material online as the day goes on.

[erik316wttn]

Ron Santo will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread throughout Wrigley Field.

 

If this is true, that's awesome. I can't think of anything more fitting.

[C.C.]

Ron Santo will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread throughout Wrigley Field.

 

If this is true, that's awesome. I can't think of anything more fitting.

 

This has to happen.

[NCCubFan]

I'm trying to tell myself that Ronnie isn't gone.. just his body is. That he'll still be at Wrigley every day, just in spirit. That's not helping right now.

 

He'll be calling games with Jack, Lou and Harry now. Not a bad broadcast booth.

And don't forget Vince Lloyd too. With Arne Harris directing.

[J.R.]

Very, very classy of Mr. Ricketts to have the organization embrace Ron's services in such a manner.

[Pool]

Audio File - Click Here

 

Video File - Click Here

[erik316wttn]

Ron Santo will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread throughout Wrigley Field.

 

If this is true, that's awesome. I can't think of anything more fitting.

 

This has to happen.

 

On Opening Day.

[Pool]

Does anyone know when Ron announced his last game this season??? I was thinking September 15th. Got a cassette tape of September 14th with pre-game and 1/2 the game.

 

Considering selling it on ebay and giving the money to JDRF.

[erik316wttn]

Does anyone know when Ron announced his last game this season??? I was thinking September 15th. Got a cassette tape of September 14th with pre-game and 1/2 the game.

 

Considering selling it on ebay and giving the money to JDRF.

 

I thought he was there right till the end. October 3rd against Houston, wasn't it?

 

And be careful. While your idea is honorable, baseball has that whole "express written consent" thing and could probably have your ebay auction pulled if they found out about it.

[BCVM22]

Dave Otto was doing color for the last day of the season. The Cubs' final home game was September 26 and Ron was on the call for that; given that the final road trip was San Diego and Houston and that Ron wasn't on the call for the Houston series, I would peg that 9/26 game as his last broadcast.

 

Not to poo-poo your idea, Pool, because it is quite noble, but in addition to what erik said about the legalities, people can buy access to the complete 2010 media archives for about $25 and record just about anything they want digitally with a little know-how. Do you believe you'd find a buyer for your cassette? Again, please don't take this as dumping on your idea.

 

Oh lord. What was Ron's final sign-off is just heartbreaking given the present day.

 

http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/farewellron.mp3

[Pool]

Thanks guys. Just tossing things around in my head before I do stuff.

[E.J.]

It hasn't really hit me that Ronnie is gone. I guess it's because the Cubs aren't playing right now. It's going to be strange and sad hearing WGN radio this season.

[Old Style]

Ron Santo will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread throughout Wrigley Field.

 

If this is true, that's awesome. I can't think of anything more fitting.

 

This has to happen.

 

On Opening Day.

Apparently it is true.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/2893/santos-ashes-to-be-spread-throughout-wrigley

[mookie]

Very awesome tribute to Ron. I wonder when they are going to scatter the ashes?

[erik316wttn]

Very awesome tribute to Ron. I wonder when they are going to scatter the ashes?

 

I would respect the family's wishes and do it whenever they like, but if they'd be cool waiting until the Home Opener, I'd go for that.

[mookie]

Man, I just teared up like a little girl watching the Pat Hughes eulogy. Very eloquent and touching.

[98navigator]

I recorded the funeral while at work so I could watch it last night. It was a fitting send-off. Apparently, Ron and Bud Selig have been close friends for years which is why he spoke. It was good to see that Ryno made the trip even though he's separated himself from the team. It was great to see Kerry Wood in attendance as well (Gary Mathews Sr. was spotted in the audience and even Ted Lilly flew into town as did Sean Marshall, Dempster, Gorzo, Koyie (who were all reportedly training in Mesa) and a few other current and recent Cubs). Of course, Hendry, Quade, and Len & Bob were there in addition to the Santo family. I think the entire infield from the '69 team was present too. Even Tribune executives came out of the tower to pay their respects...

 

Oh yeah, Tom Ricketts spoke because he's the managing face of the team. The ceremony was as much about the Cubs as it was about Ron and the connection between the two. Coincidentally, the head Priest at Holy Name Cathedral is a type I insulin-dependent diabetic and long time Cubs fan. There was also a huge "Cubs" flower arraignment on the stage. John McDonough, who hired Ron for the booth way back when, also eulogized him. Finally, Pat Hughes did an outstanding job sharing both on and off-air moments. I was crying like a baby.

 

Ron endured a lot. In addition to his battle with diabetes, becoming a double amputee and fighting bladder cancer, I learned on the telecast that both of his parents were killed in an auto accident while driving down to see him play in spring training. I guess for a while the Cubs were his only family... Through all that adversity he lived a very full life.

[NCCubFan]

In addition to his battle with diabetes, becoming a double amputee and fighting bladder cancer, I learned on the telecast that both of his parents were killed in an auto accident while driving down to see him play in spring training.

According to this article it was in 1973. I remembered reading about it but couldn't remember when it was.

[daske17]

The chief thing that bugged me about the funeral was Jesse Jackson being there in the front row. Not only being in the front row, but as the cameras cut over the Santo family, he was in full view lounging in the pew.

 

Why can't he just go away.

[98navigator]

The chief thing that bugged me about the funeral was Jesse Jackson being there in the front row. Not only being in the front row, but as the cameras cut over the Santo family, he was in full view lounging in the pew.

 

Why can't he just go away.

 

 

Whatever your thoughts are about Jesse Jackson politically, or otherwise, he's a big Cubs fan. FYI, he was an outspoken advocate for Banks getting a statue. Mike North first talked about getting it done and he brought Jackson (a frequent guest of the show) on air to help get the ball moving. From my understanding, Jesse Jackson helped procure some of the funding for the statue. I think he was in the front row because he's local clergy and probably a friend of Ron's

[SouthSideRyan]

Funny that purported civil rights leader like Jackson would go on a show with North, the biggest redneck racist on Chicago radio.

[98navigator]

Funny that purported civil rights leader like Jackson would go on a show with North, the biggest redneck racist on Chicago radio.

 

I don't know if North's racist but I could only stomach him when he stuck to sports. That one year when he constantly talked politics and tried to tell everyone who to vote for was a huge turn off; I only started listening again when The Score made him stick strictly to sports. Anyway, North has been off the air for a couple of years now. The only thing he and Jackson ever really talked about was sports. I thought it was odd too but whatever...

[ConstableRabbit]

Dave Otto was doing color for the last day of the season. The Cubs' final home game was September 26 and Ron was on the call for that; given that the final road trip was San Diego and Houston and that Ron wasn't on the call for the Houston series, I would peg that 9/26 game as his last broadcast.

 

Not to poo-poo your idea, Pool, because it is quite noble, but in addition to what erik said about the legalities, people can buy access to the complete 2010 media archives for about $25 and record just about anything they want digitally with a little know-how. Do you believe you'd find a buyer for your cassette? Again, please don't take this as dumping on your idea.

 

Oh lord. What was Ron's final sign-off is just heartbreaking given the present day.

 

http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/farewellron.mp3

I couldn't get through that.

[kujay]

Oh lord. What was Ron's final sign-off is just heartbreaking given the present day.

 

http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/farewellron.mp3

 

That was tough. Captures his spirit perfectly though.

[Old Style]

Wow. Still hard to believe that was the last we'll ever hear of him.