Ron Santo Dead at 70

[Wheelimus]

If you guys are interested, this is a link to Santo's last interview on WGN (last ever?) on November 28, just 4 days before his death :(

 

http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/sportscentralweekend/wgnam-sportscentral-podcast-120310santo,0,1913243.mp3file

 

Thanks so much for that link, though it's going in my bookmarks for now. Still a little bit too soon to the news, sadly don't have much choice but to get through this day and it's hard to work on a telephone switch while bawling. Soon though I'll be listening.

 

Sigh, hate to get morbid but after watching a recent episode of Auction Kings were they sold off a bunch of autographed negro league memorabilia I've been inspired to want to start my own collection. Mainly at the awesome way the guy selling the items made them, making his own plaques utilizing a postcard autograph. There's a free clip here. Anyway, the template used seemed like a great way to make some great wall pieces without spending a ton of money. Ronnie was going to be one of my first projects but the cost of an autograph just went through the roof I'd imagine. Maybe someday I'll get lucky enough to meet a Cubs fan with a lot of them who will sell me one at a fair price. Fingers crossed.

[ScrubMD]

Damn it... In my heart I always thought he'd get to see the Cubs win it all. This really sucks. He was such a great guy.

[hawkeyecub]

Damn this really blows.

[cubbyvirus00]

Rest in peace Ronnie.....this really sucks and I havent been able to wrap my mind around not being able to hear him call games again.

 

here is funny moment of his in the booth

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnMo_bwX5gk

[Soul]

There's lots of great stories about Ron signing autographs & such. I also remember him leaning over from the booth at Miller Park to sign people's stuff. He probably should have been prepping for the broadcast :)

 

Of course, we all know Ron's broadcasts were just a stream of emotion. That's all I ever needed from him. Just.....be a Cub fan, say what we're all feeling. That's it. Ronnie did that.

[cubbyvirus00]

Sorry, I had to post another one. This made me laugh .

 

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

One of my many encounters with Santo. He was a great guy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/vanceandron.jpg

[Cubswin11]

Most of us won't be able to find something to love as much as Ron loved the Cubs. He was a true Cub. This is terrible news. RIP Ronny and [expletive] the HOF, I am on board with never setting foot in there in my lifetime.

[javy knows my name]

[expletive] this. I welled up this morning

[Irishoshea21]

My all-time favorite Pat and Ron call.

 

 

August 7, 2001. Need I say more?

 

 

I haven't posted much on NSBB lately, but John Davis used to post these clips. (I think his name was John Davis. From Evanston). So I credit him with much of my early 2000 cubs mp3's. My man BCVM has done fine work since.

[Ski]

RIP Ronny. I'll miss listening to you screaming like a real fan on the radio when I visit Chicago. :(

[Banedon]

This made me laugh...

 

One of the rare times he saw Santo visibly upset, McDonough recalled, was after Frank Sinatra Jr. sang during the 7th-inning stretch years ago. As Sinatra left the booth, he turned to Santo and told him he thought Santo was one of the best pitchers he had ever seen. "Ronny lost it," McDonough said.

[Irrelevant Dude]

If you guys are interested, this is a link to Santo's last interview on WGN (last ever?) on November 28, just 4 days before his death :(

 

http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/sportscentralweekend/wgnam-sportscentral-podcast-120310santo,0,1913243.mp3file

This is very sad news because Santo never got to experience that Hall of Fame moment that he truly deserved and wanted so badly. As a radio listener, I have wished for a color commentator who could provide more game insight, but I surely didn't want it to happen like this. It is crazy to think that he did this interview only a few days before slipping into a coma. He certainly didn't sound like someone who knew that his death was imminent. I wonder if the cancer was something they found afterwards, or maybe it is something he had been managing and just took a sudden turn for the worse. Either way, he obviously lived for the Cubs and battled through a lot to be at the ballpark as often as possible. His presence will be missed.

[UMFan83]

This made me laugh...

 

One of the rare times he saw Santo visibly upset, McDonough recalled, was after Frank Sinatra Jr. sang during the 7th-inning stretch years ago. As Sinatra left the booth, he turned to Santo and told him he thought Santo was one of the best pitchers he had ever seen. "Ronny lost it," McDonough said.

 

I thought that was oddly placed in the article but funny as well.

[erik316wttn]

Cubs radio broadcasts will never be the same. I can understand some of the sentiment against Ron in the booth, but to me he was the perfect foil to Pat Hughes. He was one of us. He felt what we were feeling and often times said what we felt. That turned some people off, but to me it made him all the more endearing. Hearing Pat gently tease him about one thing or another always made me smile, because you knew those two genuinely liked each other.

 

Without being too morbid, I always thought he'd keel over in the booth with as worked up as he would get on top of being a heart patient.

 

I just wonder who will replace him in the booth. I'd hope for Keith Moreland, as Dave Otto is horrible.

 

Ronny, I hope they have you playing 3rd base for today's game, just like old times. I'll always miss you and will never forget you.

[Soul]

Yes, someone will get to do that Pat Hughes interview today, and I'd really really like to hear it.

[JonJayCutler]

My all-time favorite Pat and Ron call.

 

 

August 7, 2001. Need I say more?

 

Priceless at 0:20. Ron pounds on the table: "Jesus Christ!"

 

Absolutely priceless.

[snoodmonger]

i'll miss you, ronnie

[Schwarber Fan]

My all-time favorite Pat and Ron call.

 

 

August 7, 2001. Need I say more?

 

 

I haven't posted much on NSBB lately, but John Davis used to post these clips. (I think his name was John Davis. From Evanston). So I credit him with much of my early 2000 cubs mp3's. My man BCVM has done fine work since.

 

I have video if anyone is interested

[UMFan83]

Probably the greatest accomplishment in Ronnie's life:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kynAIAbIuBE

 

(sorry we all need some humor today)

[mookie]

Peace be with you Ron. I thought you were mentally challenged the first time I heard you, but I came to understand your awesome level of love. You will be missed.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman:

 

 

"What a great loss for the Cubs and Cubs fan everywhere. Ron was such a wonderful person and friend. It is so unfortunate that he never became a Hall of Famer, as he should have long ago. It won't be the same for me when the Reds and Cubs play next season and in seasons to come. My condolences to his family and his Cubs family."

 

It won't be the same? So you will hate them more?

[Soul]

Peace be with you Ron. I thought you were mentally challenged the first time I heard you, but I came to understand your awesome level of love. You will be missed.

 

Mentally challenged? No. But he was challenged mentally, as we all are, by Cub fandom :)

[Soul]

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman:

 

 

"What a great loss for the Cubs and Cubs fan everywhere. Ron was such a wonderful person and friend. It is so unfortunate that he never became a Hall of Famer, as he should have long ago. It won't be the same for me when the Reds and Cubs play next season and in seasons to come. My condolences to his family and his Cubs family."

 

It won't be the same? So you will hate them more?

 

I think Marty is probably the last person I care to hear from on Ron Santo.

[Exile on Waveland]

Damn. Cubs games on the radio will never be the same for me. If anyone deserved to see the Cubs win a World Series, it was him (though I suppose none of us are terribly surprised it didn't happen).

 

RIP