The position of the third baseman

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007)

A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the third baseman is assigned the number '5.'

The third baseman requires good reflexes in reacting to batted balls, as he is often the closest infielder (roughly 90–120 feet) to the batter. The third base position requires a strong arm, as the third baseman often makes long throws to first base. The third baseman sometimes must throw quickly to second base in time to start a double play. The third baseman must also field fly balls in fair and foul territory.

Third base is known as the "hot corner", because the third baseman is relatively close to the batter and most right-handed hitters tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. The third baseman needs good hand-eye coordination and quick reactions in order to catch hard line drives sometimes in excess of 125 miles per hour (201 km/h).^[1] Third basemen often must begin in a position even closer to the batter if a bunt is expected, creating a hazard if the ball is instead hit sharply. As with middle infielders, right-handed throwing players are standard at the position because they do not need to turn their body before throwing across the infield to first base. Mike Squires, who played fourteen games at third base in 1982 and 1983, is a very rare example of a third baseman who threw lefty.^[2][3] Some third basemen have been converted from middle infielders or outfielders because the position does not require them to run as fast.

Expectations of how well a third baseman should be able to hit have varied a great deal over time; in the early years of the sport, these expectations were similar to those for shortstops, the third baseman being merely the less skilled defensive player. Players who could hit with more ability often were not suited for third base, either because they were left-handed or because they were not mobile enough for the position. However, the beginning of the live-ball era in the 1920s created a greater demand for more offense, and third basemen have since been expected to hit either for a high average (.290 or better) or with moderate to substantial power. Since the 1950s the position has become more of a power position with sluggers such as Eddie Mathews, Mike Schmidt and Ron Santo becoming stars.

There are fewer third basemen in the Baseball Hall of Fame than there are Hall of Famers of any other position. Furthermore, with the notable exception of John McGraw and Bobby Cox, few third basemen have gone on to have successful managing careers, with Jimmy Dykes and Negro Leaguer Dave Malarcher being perhaps the next most prominent managers who began their careers at third base.

Prominent third basemen[link]

Baseball Hall of Fame members[link]

• Frank "Home Run" Baker
• Wade Boggs
• George Brett
• Jimmy Collins
• Ray Dandridge (Negro Leagues)
• Judy Johnson (Negro Leagues)
• George Kell
• Freddie Lindstrom
• Eddie Mathews
• John McGraw (primarily elected as a manager, although a third baseman in his short but successful playing career)
• Paul Molitor (longtime designated hitter who played primarily third base on the field)
• Cal Ripken, Jr. (spent most of his career at shortstop)
• Brooks Robinson
• Mike Schmidt
• Pie Traynor
• Jud Wilson (Negro Leagues)
• Ron Santo

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners[link]

• Brooks Robinson – 16
• Mike Schmidt – 10
• Scott Rolen – 8
• Eric Chavez – 6
• Robin Ventura – 6
• Buddy Bell – 6
• Ken Boyer – 5
• Doug Rader – 5
• Ron Santo – 5
• Gary Gaetti – 4
• Matt Williams – 4
• David Wright – 2
• Wade Boggs – 2
• Evan Longoria – 2
• Graig Nettles - 2

All Time Single Season Assists Leaders Among Third Basemen[link]

1. Graig Nettles: 412 (Cleveland Indians, 1971)
2. Graig Nettles: 410 (New York Yankees, 1973)
3. Brooks Robinson: 410 (Baltimore Orioles, 1974)
4. Brooks Robinson: 405 (Baltimore Orioles, 1967)
5. Harlond Clift: 405 (St. Louis Browns, 1937)
6. Mike Schmidt: 404 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1974)
7. Doug DeCinces: 399 (California Angels, 1982)
8. Brandon Inge: 398 (Detroit Tigers, 2006)
9. Clete Boyer: 396 (New York Yankees, 1962)
10. Mike Schmidt: 396 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1977)
11. Buddy Bell: 396 (Texas Rangers, 1982)

All Time Single Season Putouts Leaders Among Third Basemen[link]

1. Denny Lyons: 255 (Philadelphia Athletics, 1887)
2. Jimmy Williams: 251 (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1899)
3. Jimmy Collins: 251 (Boston Beaneaters [National League], 1900)
4. Jimmy Collins: 243 (Boston Beaneaters [National League], 1898)
5. Willie Kamm: 243 (Chicago White Sox, 1928)
6. Willie Kamm: 236 (Chicago White Sox, 1927)
7. Frank Baker: 233 (Philadelphia Athletics, 1913)
8. Bill Coughlin: 232 (Washington Senators, 1901)
9. Ernie Courtney: 229 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1905)
10. Jimmy Austin: 228 (St. Louis Browns, 1911)

References[link]

1. ^ Brian A. Raue PhD page
2. ^ Mike Squires page
3. ^ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/10835 Lefty 3B since 1919

v t e Baseball positions Pitchers by role Ace pitcher Starting pitcher Relief pitcher Middle relief pitcher Long reliever Setup pitcher Closer Left-handed specialist by style Fireballer Power pitcher Control pitcher Groundball pitcher Flyball pitcher Switch pitcher Defensive players by number Pitcher (1 / P) Catcher (2 / C) First baseman (3 / 1B) Second baseman (4 / 2B) Third baseman (5 / 3B) Shortstop (6 / SS) Left fielder (7 / LF) Center fielder (8 / CF) Right fielder (9 / RF) by type Infielder Outfielder Utility player Utility infielder Position player Battery Fourth outfielder Corner outfielder Offensive players by role Batter Runner Batting order (1–9) Designated hitter Pinch hitter Pinch runner Lead off Leadoff hitter Cleanup hitter by style Clutch hitter Contact hitter Switch hitter Non-players Official scorer Umpire Manager Coaches General manager Related Disabled list Phantom ballplayer

Ryan Roberts
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 14
Third baseman/Second baseman
Born: (1980-09-19) September 19, 1980 (age 31)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2006 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through 2011)
Batting average	.250
Home runs	29
Runs batted in	100
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2007) Texas Rangers (2008) Arizona Diamondbacks (2009–present)

Ryan Alan Roberts (born September 19, 1980, in Fort Worth, Texas), nicknamed "Tatman"^[1], is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed batter, Roberts is 5' 11" tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married to actress Kim Camille. Roberts has over 30 tattoos.^[2]

College career[link]

After graduating from L. D. Bell High School, Roberts' team won an NJCAA Division III World Series his sophomore year at Eastfield Junior College in Mesquite, Texas. Roberts was an All-American with a .475 batting average, 17 home runs, and 73 RBIs, and was named a MAC All-Conference and All-American Selection at shortstop. Roberts transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington. After his senior year in 2003, he was named Southland Conference Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year.^[3] He was among the conference leaders in eight different offensive categories, was first-team all-SLC as a third baseman, and was also named to several All-America teams. In 2003, Baseball America analyst John Manuel described Roberts as the best player on UTA's squad which also included Hunter Pence now with the Philadelphia Phillies.^[4]

Professional career[link]

Toronto Blue Jays[link]

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Roberts with the 530th overall pick of the 2003 draft, in the 18th round. Roberts signed with the Blue Jays and made his professional debut in the New York-Penn League. In 2003, after Roberts had been drafted, Manuel described him in an online chat as an "interesting sleeper", and said that "his best tool is his bat".^[5]

He was named to the 2005 Eastern League All-Star team.^[6] The Blue Jays allocated Roberts to the Arizona Fall League that off-season,^[7] and on November 18 of that year, they purchased his contract from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and added him to their 40-man roster.^[8]

Roberts began the 2006 season in Triple-A Syracuse before being called up to the 25-man Toronto Blue Jays roster. On August 3, 2006, Roberts hit a solo home run in Yankee Stadium, his first hit in a Major League Baseball game.

In 2007 Roberts batted .249 in AAA, and then went 1–13 in the major leagues. After the 2007 season, Roberts' was released by the Blue Jays.

Texas Rangers[link]

Roberts signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on November 21, 2007, with an invitation to spring training.

Arizona Diamondbacks[link]

In November 2008, Roberts signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made the opening day roster for the first time in his career. He has played mostly as a utility player during the 2009 season with the Diamondbacks.

Through June 13, 2009, Roberts had a .274 batting average in the minor leagues, and a .243 batting average in the major leagues in 111 at bats.

When the Diamondbacks traded second baseman Felipe López on July 20, 2009, Ryan Roberts was named the Diamondbacks everyday second baseman.In the 2009 season, Roberts hit .279 with 8 home runs and 25 RBI, while playing at second base for 57 games, third base for 19 games, and left field for 16 games.^[9]

In game 4 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Roberts hit a two-out grand slam in the first inning to help keep the Diamondbacks alive in the postseason. This home run came only a week after Roberts' first career grand slam, a game-winning "ultimate grand slam" capping a dramatic 10th inning rally to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6, as well as a day after teammate Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam in game 3 of the NLDS.

See also[link]

Baseball portal

• List of players with a home run in first major league at bat

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Ron Santo
Third baseman
Born: (1940-02-25)February 25, 1940 Seattle, Washington
Died: December 3, 2010(2010-12-03) (aged 70) Scottsdale, Arizona
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 26, 1960 for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 1974 for the Chicago White Sox
Career statistics
Batting average	.277
Home runs	342
Hits	2,254
Runs batted in	1,331
Teams
Chicago Cubs (1960–1973) Chicago White Sox (1974)
Career highlights and awards
9× All-Star (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973) 5× Gold Glove Award winner (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968) 1973 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Chicago Cubs #10 retired
Incoming Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2012
Vote	93.75%
Election Method	Veterans Committee

Ronald Edward Santo (February 25, 1940 – December 3, 2010)^[1] was an American professional baseball player, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive player, winning five Gold Glove Awards. Despite suffering from diabetes, he carefully concealed the condition for most of his career. The disease eventually necessitated the amputation of the lower half of both legs.

While Santo initially received little support for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, his standing among baseball enthusiasts and sabermetricians has gradually increased over time. On December 5, 2011, he was posthumously elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Golden Era Committee.^[2][3]

Major League career[link]

Santo in 1961.

Santo was signed as a free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 1959, and made his debut on June 26, 1960.^[4][5] In 1961 he set a Cubs record with 41 double plays at third base, breaking the previous mark of 33 set by Bernie Friberg in 1923. In 1962 he led the National League in assists for the first time with 332, setting the team record for assists at third base, breaking the mark of 323 set by Randy Jackson in 1951. Santo continued to lead the National League in assists every year through 1968, breaking Ned Williamson's major league record of leading the league six times; Brooks Robinson went on to lead the American League eight times. Mike Schmidt eventually tied Santo's National League mark of seven. In 1963 Santo broke the modern National League record with 374 assists at third base, passing Tommy Leach's 1904 mark of 371. In 1966, he set the all-time league record with 391, the previous record being Billy Shindle's 382 in 1892; his total was 99 higher than that of league runner-up Ken Boyer. Santo broke his own record in 1967 with 393 assists,^[6] which remained the National League record until Schmidt posted 404 in 1974. He also finished fourth in the 1967 National League Most Valuable Player Award voting results.^[7] Santo's assist totals from 1963 through 1968 were the sixth highest by an National League third baseman between 1905 and 1973. He also led the National League in putouts every year from 1962 through 1967 and again in 1969, tying the league record shared by Pie Traynor and Willie Jones in leading the league seven times;^[8] Tim Wallach later tied the mark as well.

Santo was deeply saddened by the loss of teammate Ken Hubbs, the Cubs second baseman, killed in a plane crash just prior to the 1964 season. Santo is interviewed by Tom Harmon, narrator of the film A Glimpse of Greatness–The Story of Ken Hubbs, in which Santo pays the highest respects to the young Hubbs.^{[citation needed]}

1969[link]

In 1969, Santo and the Cubs were in first place in the National League East for 180 days, before going 8–17 in their final 25 games, while the New York "Miracle" Mets went 37–11 in their final 48 games.^[9] During that season, the Cubs sent their entire starting infield, including Santo, to the All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.; he and Cubs shortstop Don Kessinger started for the National League team.^[10] Santo finished the season with a .289 batting average, 29 home runs and a career-high 123 runs batted in (RBI), and finished fifth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting.^[4][11]

Heel Click[link]

During the 1969 season, Santo became known for performing a heel click after a game on June 22, 1969, against the Montreal Expos.^[6][12] Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Expos were leading 6–3. With one out, second baseman Paul Popovich hit a single, and moved up to second base after another single by left fielder Billy Williams. Although Santo grounded out for the second out, Popovich and Williams each moved up a base. Then a future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, first baseman Ernie Banks, singled to bring home Williams and Popovich and bring the Cubs within a run. Rick Bladt substituted as a pinch-runner for Banks. That set it up for Cubs right fielder Jim Hickman, who hit a two-run walk-off home run to win the game, 7–6.^[13] When Hickman reached home plate, Santo was so excited that after congratulating him by bear hugging and pounding him on his head, Santo ran down the third base line and jumped three times, clicking his heels on each jump.^[6][12]

The next day, Santo walked into manager Leo Durocher's office; Durocher asked him to keep clicking his heels whenever the Cubs won at Wrigley Field to motivate the team. Santo continued this after every home win. The stunt antagonized opponents and served to make the team a target for payback in the final weeks of the season. When the Cubs began their September swoon, which took place shortly after Santo called out rookie teammate Don Young in public after a loss against the Mets in New York, he discontinued the heel click routine suddenly. His final "click" was performed on September 2, the last Cub home victory while still in first place. During and after the epic collapse, Santo never again performed the heel click, as critics decried the routine for its arrogance and overconfidence, which many believe was at the root of the late fade.^{[citation needed]} In his book, The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, baseball historian Bill James cited Durocher's method of using his regular players every day without any rest days as a factor in the Cubs' collapse.^[14]

Trade Request[link]

Santo became the first player to invoke the ten-and-five rule under the collective bargaining agreement signed after the 1972 Major League Baseball strike (the rule allows players with 10 years' service, the last five with the same team, to decline any trade).^[6] The Cubs had agreed upon a deal to send Santo to the California Angels; the ballclub would have received in return two young pitchers: Andy Hassler, who went on to have a middling career as a reliever/spot starter, and Bruce Heinbechner, a very highly-regarded left-handed pitching prospect. Santo didn't want to play on the West Coast and vetoed the deal.

The Cubs still wanted to trade Santo, and since his preference was to stay in Chicago, they worked out a deal with the White Sox, acquiring catcher Steve Swisher, and three young pitchers: Jim Kremmel, Ken Frailing, and one of Santo's future co-broadcasters, Steve Stone.^[5] The White Sox already had a third baseman, Bill Melton, so Santo was relegated mostly to designated hitter duty, which he hated. He wanted to play in the field, but White Sox manager Chuck Tanner wouldn't bench Melton (who had had a couple of 30 home run seasons for them), so he unsuccessfully tried Santo at second base. Finishing 1974 with a .221 batting average and 5 home runs, Santo retired from baseball at the age of 34.^[4]

Legacy[link]

Santo was a nine-time National League All-Star, and led the league in walks four times, in on base percentage twice and in triples once.^[4][8] An All-Star-caliber player at Wrigley Field and fairly ordinary on the road, he hit for a .300 average and hit 30 home runs four times each,^[6] and is the only third baseman in major league history to post eight consecutive seasons with 90 RBI (1963–1970).^[4][8] The winner of five consecutive Gold Glove Awards for fielding excellence (1964–1968),^[15] he set or tied National League records by leading the league's third basemen in total chances eight times, in games, putouts and assists seven times each, and in double plays six times.^[6][8] From 1966 to 1974 he held the National League record for assists in a single season. He also set National League records for career assists (4,532), total chances (6,777) and double plays (389) at third base, all of which were eventually broken by Mike Schmidt between 1986 and 1988; his National League total of 2,102 games at third base fell 52 short of Eddie Mathews' league record, and he then ranked sixth in National League history in putouts (1,930) and ninth in fielding percentage (.954).

Retired number at Wrigley Field

Santo led the league in double plays six times (1961, '64, '66–'68, '71), tying the major league record held by Heinie Groh;^[8] Schmidt also later tied this record. He led the National League in total chances every season from 1961 through 1968.^[8] He appeared at third base in every Cubs game from April 19, 1964 through May 31, 1966, establishing a league record with 364 consecutive games at the position;^[6][8] his 164 games at third base in 1965 remain the major league record.

He was the second player at his position to hit 300 (exactly 342) career home runs, joining Eddie Mathews, and also ended his career ranking second to Mathews among third basemen in slugging average (.464) and third in runs batted in (1,331), total bases (3,779) and walks (1,108). Santo broke Mathews' National League record of 369 career double plays at third base in 1972, and in 1973 he broke Mathews' league records of 4,284 assists and 6,606 total chances. Schmidt passed Santo's record for double plays in 1986, his record for assists in 1987, and his mark for total chances in 1988. During his 14-season run with the Cubs, Santo hit 337 home runs, then the eighth most by a National League right-handed hitter; his 1,071 career walks with the Cubs remain the team record for a right-handed hitter. He was the first third baseman to hit 300 home runs and win five Gold Gloves, a feat since matched only by Schmidt.

Santo became the first player in major league history to wear a batting helmet with protective ear flaps, when in 1966, in the midst of trying to break the Cubs' modern consecutive-game hitting streak record of 27 games (set by Hack Wilson in 1929), Santo was sidelined for nearly two weeks following a pitch thrown by the Mets' Jack Fisher (beaning) that fractured his cheekbone and ended his consecutive playing streak. When he returned (and broke the hitting record with a 28-game streak^[6]) he was wearing an improvised ear flap on his batting helmet in order to protect the injury; ear flaps have since become standard equipment on batting helmets.

On September 28, 2003, Santo's jersey No. 10 was retired by the Cubs organization, making him the third player so honored behind his teammates Ernie Banks (#14) and Billy Williams (#26).^[16] Other prominent Cubs had worn No. 10 after Santo's retirement, notably Dave Kingman and Leon Durham; the most recent wearer had been interim manager Bruce Kimm, just the previous year. In April 2004, Santo was inducted into the inaugural class of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (Washington's high school athletics league) Hall of Fame as a graduate of Seattle's Franklin High School.^[17] About a month after Santo's death, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts announced that Santo would be honored by the Cubs in the 2011 season. From spring training through the end of the season, the Cubs wore a patch on the sleeve of their jersey with the number 10 on it.

Hall of Fame qualifications[link]

When Santo first became eligible for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980, he was named on less than four percent of all ballots cast, resulting in his removal from the ballot in subsequent years; he was one of several players re-added to the ballot in 1985 following widespread complaints about overlooked candidates, with the remainder of their 15 years of eligibility restored even if this extended beyond the usual limit of 20 years after their last season. After receiving 13 percent of the vote in the 1985 election, his vote totals increased in 10 of the next 13 years until he received 43 percent of the vote in his final year on the 1998 ballot, finishing third in the voting behind electee Don Sutton and 2000 inductee Tony Perez. Following revamped voting procedures for the Veterans Committee, which elects players retired for over 20 years, Santo finished third in 2003, tied for first in 2005, and again finished first in voting for the 2007 and 2009 inductions, but fell short of the required number of votes each year. Following further major changes to the Veterans Committee voting process announced in 2010, Santo's next opportunity for admission came in voting for the induction class of 2012.

Although Santo became a widely supported candidate for selection, his initial poor showing in balloting has been attributed to various factors, including a longtime tendency of Hall voters to overlook third basemen; at the time Santo retired, only three of the over 120 players elected were third basemen.^{[citation needed]} Also, the fact that Santo's best years occurred in the 1960s, when offensive statistics were relatively lower than in many other eras (due to an enlarged strike zone and raised pitcher's mounds, among other things), has been cited as a factor that led voters to perhaps overlook him.^[18][19] Another possible reason that has been suggested is that voters have not focused sufficiently on Santo's high walk totals and defense. These aspects of play are perhaps more valued by sabermetrics — newer methods of evaluating a baseball player's productivity — than they have been by Hall of Fame voters in the past. For example, Santo's career adjusted on-base plus slugging (OPS+) (the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage, adjusted for the park and league in which he played, and expressed as a percentage of the league average) would rank him exactly in the middle of the ten major league third basemen who were in the Hall of Fame in 2011.^[19][20]

One argument that was raised against Santo’s Hall of Fame candidacy is that his batting statistics, over the course of his career, were significantly better at home than on the road. He hit 216 of his 342 home runs at home, and only 126 on the road.^[21] His career batting average at home was .296, versus .257 on the road.^[21] However, several players elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, such as Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, and Kirby Puckett, batted significantly better in their home parks than they did on the road.^{[22][23][24][25]} Hall of Famers with a significant differential between their home numbers and road numbers in terms of home runs include Mel Ott (323 homers at home and 188 on the road), Frank Robinson (321 at home, 265 on the road), Jimmie Foxx (299 at home, 235 on the road) and Hank Greenberg (205 at home, 126 on the road).^{[26][27][28][29]} Others have also commented that two Cubs who were in their prime during Santo’s prime years have already been honored by the Hall of Fame (Ferguson Jenkins and Billy Williams), and the team also featured a third Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks, who was arguably past his prime, yet the team never won a pennant. However, the late 1960s Cubs were far from the only team in baseball history with multiple Hall of Famers that did not win a pennant or a World Series.

Santo also fell short of such traditional standards of Hall election as 3,000 hits and 500 home runs; however, by the time his career ended, only two third basemen (Brooks Robinson and Lave Cross) had even collected 2,500 hits, and only one (Eddie Mathews) had reached the 500-home run plateau.^{[30][31][32][33]} Bill James, a notable statistical guru who has ranked Santo among the 100 greatest players of all time (sixth among third basemen), believed his election to the Hall of Fame was long overdue.

Although disappointed at being bypassed by the Hall of Fame, on the day his jersey number was retired by the Cubs, the ever-optimistic and emotional "old Cub" told the cheering Wrigley Field crowd, "This is my Hall of Fame!"^[8][34] During Ryne Sandberg's Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2005, he echoed his support for Santo's selection, saying, "...for what it’s worth, Ron Santo just gained one more vote from the Veterans Committee."^[35] On April 19, 2007, the Illinois House of Representatives adopted HB 109 (Cross), urging the Veterans Committee of the Baseball Hall of Fame to elect Ron Santo to the Baseball Hall of Fame. ^[36]

On December 5, 2011, the 16-member Golden Era Committee composed of Hank Aaron, Pat Gillick, Al Kaline, Ralph Kiner, Tommy Lasorda, Juan Marichal, Brooks Robinson, Billy Williams, Paul Beeston, Bill DeWitt, Roland Hemond, Gene Michael, Al Rosen, Dick Kaegel, Jack O'Connell, and Dave Van Dyck voted Ron Santo into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Class of 2012. Santo received 15 out of 16 possible votes.^[3][37]

Post-retirement[link]

Broadcast career[link]

As the "single biggest Cubs fan of all time," Santo joined the Cubs' broadcast booth in 1990 as the WGN radio color commentator.^[12][38] He worked with play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes, and these radio broadcasts were also known as the Pat and Ron Show. He also worked with Harry Caray, Thom Brennaman, Steve Stone and Bob Brenly. Santo also briefly worked with Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers commentator Wayne Larrivee. In addition to his broadcasting career, he did commercials for Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating, which he endorsed. In Chicago, Santo was known for his unabashed broadcast enthusiasm, including groans and cheers during the game. As excitable as Santo was when a great play for the Cubs occurred, he was equally as vocal in his displeasure when events turned against the Cubs.

Struggle with diabetes[link]

In the early years of his playing career, he carefully concealed the fact that he had type 1 diabetes. He feared that if this information were to be known, he would be forced into retirement. Because the methods of regulating diabetes in the 1960s and 1970s were not as advanced as they are today,^[3] Santo gauged his blood sugar levels based on his moods.^[39] If he felt his blood sugar was low, he would snack on a candy bar in the clubhouse.^[39]

As part of the publicity surrounding "Ron Santo Day" at Wrigley Field on August 28, 1971, he revealed his struggle with diabetes. He was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 18, and was given a life expectancy of 25 years. Santo had both his legs amputated below the knee as a result of his diabetes: the right in 2001 and the left in 2002.

In 2004 Santo and his battle against diabetes were the subject of a documentary, This Old Cub. The film was written, co-produced and directed by Santo's son Jeff.^[3]

Santo shared a bond in this respect with 2008 Cub rookie Sam Fuld, who also suffers from type 1 diabetes.^[40]

Charities[link]

Santo endorsed the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes in Chicago from 1974 until his death, and raised over $60 million for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). In 2002, Santo was named the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "Person of the Year".^[34] Santo also inspired Bill Holden to walk 2,100 miles from Arizona to Chicago, to raise $250,000 for diabetes research.

Death[link]

Santo died at 12:40 am on December 3, 2010^[1] in a Scottsdale, Arizona, hospital due to complications from bladder cancer and diabetes. (Many media outlets reported the date as "the night of the 2nd" or "overnight".) Santo lapsed into a coma on December 1 and died the next night.^{[41][42][43] [44]} A funeral mass was celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral on December 10, where Santo's casket was carried in by former teammates Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Randy Hundley, Glenn Beckert, and Billy Williams, draped with the No. 10 flag that flew over Wrigley the day his number was retired. He was eulogized by his longtime broadcast partner Pat Hughes, along with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.^[45] Following the service, the procession paused outside Tribune Tower, home of WGN Radio, before heading north to circle Wrigley Field, starting at third base. Santo was later cremated and his ashes scattered on the field at the Friendly Confines.^[46]

On Wednesday, August 10, 2011, Ron Santo was memorialized and "immortalized" at Wrigley Field with the presentation of a statue in his likeness. The statue is a portrayal of a young Ron Santo playing defense at third base, leaning to his right while throwing a ball.

See also[link]

• List of Major League Baseball retired numbers
• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• List of major league players with 2,000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• List of Major League Baseball triples champions
• List of Gold Glove Award winners at third base

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• SantoFilms.com This Old Cub – The inspiring story of Chicago legend Ron Santo, Documentary by Ron's son Jeff Santo
• BaseballLibrary – biography, career highlights and SABR bibliography
• Baseball Almanac
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Santo Handled Hot Corner Like Few Others
• The Top 100 Cubs Of All Time: No. 7 Ron Santo at Bleed Cubbie Blue
• WIAA Hall of Fame
• Articles examining Santo's merits for Hall of Fame election:
  • 2007 Hall of Fame candidate profile – at the Internet Archive
  • Why Ron Santo Belongs in the Hall of Fame – Part 2 – Part 3
  • Santo's Hall credentials tough to overlook – 2007 article by Rob Neyer
  • ESPN: Hall Debates
• Photos of Santo and related memorabilia – Cubs Ryan O'Malley and Ron Santo visit – springfieldphotos.blogspot.com – Thursday, October 12, 2006
• Pull Isn't Always Needed For A Raise, Cubs' Santo Finds, Baseball Digest, December 1963
• Don't Take Ron Santo For Granted, Baseball Digest, August 1973
• Ron Santo: A Hall of Fame Plaque In His Future?, Baseball Digest, July 1992
• Miracle Collapse: The 1969 Chicago Cubs
• Fans Still Carry the Torch for Also-Ran '69 Cubs, Baseball Digest, June 1993
• Ron Santo Walk To Cure Diabetes home page
• Photos: Remembering Ron Santo (1940–2010)