Ron Santo
I've been trying to understand why I feel so emotional over the death last night of Ron Santo, former Cubs player. It's not as tho I had ever met him, we weren't friends, but I see him as a touchstone in my life. Watching him play in the late 60's , hearing him call games in the booth since the 90's , seeing more of his story, including hearing about his diabetes and how he lived a full life despite it, have given me the impression of knowing him better than some people I see everyday.
His attitude, his appreciation for the people around him, the way he expressed his feelings about every Cubs win and loss, endeared him to so many Cubs fans. And to see him let down by the Hall of Fame, after that career. To know that his peers wouldn't acknowledge how he played to 9 All Star games, 5 Gold Glove awards, a lifetime batting average of .277 while playing with diabetes at a time when glucose meters didn't exist, and he had to simply know his own reactions well enough to judge what he needed to get through a 9 inning game. It hurts that he didn't get in to Cooperstown in his lifetime, and I'm sure he will get voted in now, but it doesn't do anything for him. The family could say "screw it" and not accept, but it won't hurt Cooperstown not to have him in, few people would notice. He deserves to be there, and while it hurts that it's late, he should be there. Isn't that why we do what we do? We all do our jobs to the best of our ability because we know it matters. For the greater good, even sports contributes. Ron brought joy to fans and teammates alike. Like Walter Payton, he played a game as well as he could, and inspired many.
I will miss him.
Goodbye old friend
His attitude, his appreciation for the people around him, the way he expressed his feelings about every Cubs win and loss, endeared him to so many Cubs fans. And to see him let down by the Hall of Fame, after that career. To know that his peers wouldn't acknowledge how he played to 9 All Star games, 5 Gold Glove awards, a lifetime batting average of .277 while playing with diabetes at a time when glucose meters didn't exist, and he had to simply know his own reactions well enough to judge what he needed to get through a 9 inning game. It hurts that he didn't get in to Cooperstown in his lifetime, and I'm sure he will get voted in now, but it doesn't do anything for him. The family could say "screw it" and not accept, but it won't hurt Cooperstown not to have him in, few people would notice. He deserves to be there, and while it hurts that it's late, he should be there. Isn't that why we do what we do? We all do our jobs to the best of our ability because we know it matters. For the greater good, even sports contributes. Ron brought joy to fans and teammates alike. Like Walter Payton, he played a game as well as he could, and inspired many.
I will miss him.
Goodbye old friend