I grew up listening to Ron Santo’s rambles and rants, moans and groans. I remember watching the 2003 NLCS with my dad on Fox with the television on mute and the radio dial spun loud. I remember Game 6, The Bartman Game, and how shook Ron sounded. But I also remember Game 7, when Kerry Wood hit a home run to left center field in the third inning to take the lead. I remember the belief in Ronnie’s voice. The glee, the hope that he pumped through the radio waves and into my adolescent heart.

When Ron Santo is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend, I will remember him as an announced. The best announcer I ever listened to. Ron didn’t always break down the intricacies of the game, although sometimes his partner Pat Hughes would guide him along expertly, but he embodied all that it is to be a Cubs fan.

As a player, Santo was one of the best third baseman of his time. He was a nine-time All-Star with five Gold Gloves. At 24 years old he led the league in triples with 13 (while also hitting 30 home runs). That same year he led the league in walks, something he did three other seasons as well. At 25, Santo played 164 games in the regular season. And, of course, he did all this with diabetes.

Ronnie hid his diabetes for much of his playing days, but I can still hear his “donations to J…D..R.F. to find a cure.” Ron faced his obstacles head on in his playing days and defeated them. In his days as a broadcaster, he worked to defeated not only his obstacles but anyone else who faces ones similar to his.

One year, before the 2003 season, my family went to Wrigley. I was about 10 at the time and we got there early enough so that I could take my ball and glove down to the field with me and ask for autographs from the real life superheroes. I think I was calling for Sammy when an old guy walked by and caught everyone’s attention. I didn’t even know who he was. But being little and wide-eyed, I worked my way to the front and got the old man’s signature. I remember how many autographs he signed before mine and how he wore a smile throughout. I brought the ball back up to my dad afterwords. He couldn’t believe it.

While Cubs fans are happy to see #10 go into Cooperstown, it rubs a bit raw being posthumously. Ronnie deserved to hear all the Cubs fans cheering for him as he was inducted. He said the Cubs retiring his number meant more to him than entering the Hall, and I believe him. But a man so great, so loyal, so passionate deserved to see those traits reciprocated in his lifetime.

But what would Ron say? “Bad break?” “Keep your head up?” He would have something positive to say and that is why I will be smiling from ear to ear when Ron enters the Hall this weekend. It will be the best Cubs win of the year. Yes!

The Big Guy

P.S. Got a Ron Santo story of your own? Share it in the comment section! We want to hear it!